The IMAX cinema in the UK city of Birmingham is to re-open over Easter after closing at the end of 2003 after massive losses.

The giant 50x70ft Imax cinema, based at the Millennium Point, was forced out of business at the end of December when Cinegrand Birmingham, the UK company running the operation went into liquidation after losing £600,000 in a year.

Now, according to local press reports, bosses at Millennium Point have signed a deal with Canadian parent company IMAX Corp to reopen the cinema at Easter on a limited basis and return to full-time use by the end of May.

However, the site will not be restricted to screening only IMAX-sized films. According to Millennium Point the cinema will also screen a variety of niche and possibly arthouse films.

Millennium Point is also reported to have had discussions with Bollywood film promoters who have identified the potential for attracting a wide audience.