New hope for cinema fans

5:31pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

CINEMA campaigners have welcomed news that a company could be set to return the big screen to Wantage.

Estate agents Green and Co this week confirmed the hunt was on for a cinema operator to take over the former Regent Cinema, in Newbury Street. Oxford Development Group's plans to convert it into flats were thrown out by a Government planning inspector in March. The inspector said it must remain a leisure facility.

Matthew Green, of Green and Co, said: "The owners accept the decision of the planning appeal and I have been instructed to find a cinema operator.

"We are in talks with a number of operators and we are hoping to reach an agreement with the one whom stands a good chance of success in the long term.

"The owners realised there was a limit to what he could do with the planning use of the building and the public outcry with the loss of the cinema suggested it was the most appropriate future use."

Mr Green could not say when, or if, an agreement would be reached.

Campaigners, who raised thousands of pounds to take over the lease but were turned down in 2006, have been speculating about the venue's future, although they backed the return of the cinema.

Tim Weekes, chairman of Friends of Wantage Cinema, said it was great news for the town. He said: "It is very encouraging, but I think they eventually realised it could not be used as anything else.

"Demand is there and if they are willing to put effort in and organise a good booking system the public will come." Mr Weekes said the cinema was ideal for Wantage and it would be difficult to attract a bigger cinema with screens in neighbouring Didcot, Swindon and Oxford.

Andy Crawford, town councillor and a Friend of Wantage Cinema, said: "It is a brilliant result and let's hope someone comes forward to open the cinema that a growing community like Wantage and Grove needs and deserves. We are happy to work with anyone in any way that we can to help deliver the re-opening of the cinema."

Matthew Chapman, chairman of Wantage Chamber of Commerce, said: "The prospect of the cinema re-opening is the best news Wantage has had for a long time.

"The chamber of commerce has always supported the reopening of the cinema because anything that draws people into the town is good for Wantage. I will certainly be supporting it as soon as it opens."

Built in the 1920s, the cinema closed in 2005 after the original owners claimed it was not profitable and there was not demand for the two screens in Wantage.