Curtain rises on future of former Regal Cinema
Campaigners behind plans to transform a former cinema into a new entertainment venue today spoke of their delight after the project was included in a key document that sets out how a town should develop in the future.
A steering group has been set up to take the £500,000 scheme for Oswestry's former Regal Cinema in Leg Street forward.
It comes after the Oswestry 2020 vision town plan stated the proposals for the Regal could help its key strategy of developing a multi purpose arts, theatre and performance venue in the town centre.
Members say they are thrilled to have won the backing of the town plan and said it was important they had gained official recognition for the importance of the project. Chas Nicholson from the steering group said: "I think we are all highly delighted.
"It is formal and official recognition of the project. We are delighted the project has been recognised."
The plan, launched before an invitation-only event at the Willow Gallery in Oswestry, says: "The town clearly lacks a larger auditorium type space and in this sense is often seen as the poor relation of smaller Shropshire towns like Market Drayton, Wem and Ludlow, which all benefit from such a facility.
"A good example of a project beginning to emerge and one being led by the community is the Oswestry Regal Project which plans to create a community interest company and buy and transform the former Regal Cinema into a multi-purpose arts/theatre/performance venue."
