A MULTI-million pound Cinema complex has suffered a further delay after it was revealed the site had no electricity and sound and projection equipment had still not arrived.

The 870-seat, four-screen cinema, the final piece in Accrington's £8.5million Viaduct entertainment centre was originally scheduled to open in early July, but was delayed after rumours that builders had set the roof too low and couldn't fit the screens in.

The launch was then scheduled for late August or early September amid concerns expressed by council leader Coun Ian Ormerod about funding.

In June operators Metroplex were still finalising contracts with investors and Coun Ormerod said he feared the cinema would become "the biggest white elephant in history."

Regeneration bosses now say it will not open until late October or early November, hopefully, in time to screen the second Harry Potter movie.

Nigel Rix, director of Hyndburn First, the town's regeneration group, said: "The technical processes involved in actually fitting out a cinema are far less easy to predict than the processes involved in building a conventional building.

"We are talking about issues like sound, projection, and seating, which is coming from France. And we are talking about the overall fitout process which needs to integrate a series of complex technical requirements to make it a high quality experience for cinema-goers.

"There's not much longer to wait now. The cinema will be well worth waiting for. There are going to be two preview evenings, and a very very exciting opening afternoon and evening is being planned at the moment.

"To have a cinema right on our doorstep is a tremendous privilege for our younger people. Partners in Accrington are achieving more than £4 million of investment in a new cinema and bowl, which just a few years ago seemed completely impossible.

"This is happening in a town centre which is also witnessing £8million of investment in new shopping facilities at a time when neighbouring town centres are finding it difficult to attract investment."

Coun Ormerod visited the cinema site as part of the town centre walk earlier this month.

"I think they will open in time for the Harry Potter film," he said. "Whether all the screens will be ready by then remains to be seen because work does take time.

"But I understand they are aiming for that. I have been reassured that the financial package is now in place so for the benefit of everyone the sooner it opens the sooner we have confidence in the operator."

A spokesman for Metroplex Cinemas UK Ltd, said the cinema would be opening on Friday, November 1.

The date had had to be put back from August to enable connections of utilities, including gas and electricity, he said.

"That's a firm date. It's definitely going to open then. I received absolute confirmation from Barnfield Construction last week."

An 85-seat McDonald's drive-thru restaurant became the first instalment of the Viaduct when it opened in March, followed by the 20-lane Superbowl in July.