Major cinema operators have turned their back on Brentwood according to the company planning to redevelop the heart of the town.
Halladale Ltd, which is at the helm of proposals to convert the existing Chapel High Shopping Centre and Becket House office block into the Bay Tree Centre, said no operator is interested in reopening a cinema at the site - despite huge public interest.
The company said general response to its consultation drive had been hugely positive, but the cinema dream was an issue brought up by many people including those who spoke to the Brentwood Gazette at a public exhibition on the plans held in April.
The previous ABC cinema was closed down in 2000 due to an asbestos scare.
But, Director of Halladale Ltd, Ken Lindsay, insisted: "The consultation identified some support for including a cinema in the proposals. However, our property consultants have contacted all the major cinema operators, now of which have expressed any interest in a town centre site in Brentwood.
"In addition, the previous cinema operators could not make the cinema economically viable and that is why it closed down. These days all the major operators are looking to build multi-screen cinemas and require considerable amounts of car parking, something which Brentwood town centre cannot provide.
"However, we are providing a new leisure facility in the town centre and believe that the new health and fitness centre will prove very popular with Brentwood residents."
"We also understand the council is looking into ways of using existing premises in Brentwood to provide for the local screening of films and we, of course wish the Council every success."
Halladale is looking to convert Chapel High into a two storey shopping and leisure complex.
Meanwhile it plans to convert the Becket House office complex into 106 flats.
Mr Lindsay said the public exhibition had attracted more than 600 people with 100 people submitting written comments.
Over 250 feedback forms had been sent in from a newsletter distributed via the Brentwood Gazette.
Out of these 80 per cent of respondents fully or partially supported the proposals.
Published Friday, May 30, 2003
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