Hopes have been dashed that plans to redevelop Witham's Newlands precinct would include a cinema.

At a question time event held as part of the Witham Millennium festival last Tuesday, residents voted in large numbers that the one thing they wanted to see built in the town was a cinema.

But it was confirmed this week by Roger Southam, managing director of the precinct, that a cinema had been ruled out of the redevelopment plans.

Alan Hurst, Witham MP and one of the panellists at last week's event, had said: "I would like to see a cinema built. It's been a long time since there has been a cinema here. I think we need to see what we can do about getting one in Witham."

But Mr Southam said: "Getting a cinema built in the town would be difficult. After speaking to operators in the area, we felt that the possibility of one was not viable."

Russell Everard, treasurer of the Witham Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "We would welcome any new business that brings people into the town, especially one that would bring people in during the evening period, so we are disappointed.

"But we are aware of other developments in the area which may include leisure facilities."

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