Cineworld plans 11 screen cinema at Telford Southwater

A Cineworld multiplex cinema with 11 screens will front the £250 million Southwater development in Telford, it has been announced today.

Telford & Wrekin Council and developer Citygrove said Cineworld was the preferred operator for the proposed cinema. It is believed 170 full and part-time jobs will be created.

Discussions are also at an advanced stage with a "well-known" hotel group and several high street restaurant chains as the development starts to take shape.

It is not known what today's announcement means for the future of rival chain Odeon's 10-screen cinema at nearby Forgegate. Odeon declined to comment.

Steve Wiener, Cineworld chief executive, said: "We're very pleased to be part of the new Southwater leisure scheme in Telford.

"The development will bring a variety of entertainment options to the local community including a mixture of restaurants and, of course, a Cineworld multiplex which will feature state-of-the-art-digital and 3D screens."

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: "This news is the beginning of a very exciting new phase for the whole Southwater project."

He added: "After drawing up a revised plan to make better use of the available land, we are now looking forward to being able to announce a number of major names as operators of different parts of the development."

Construction is expected to start in summer 2012.