Plans for new Wellington cinema after 20 years

Wellington is to have its own cinema again for the first time in 20 years, it was revealed today.

Wrekin College is to launch its own independent cinema in September. The last movie theatre in the town, the Clifton, closed in the 1980s.

Organisers say they hope to show some of the most iconic films ever produced on the big screen. And they hope the local community will use the cinema

Occasional series are to be shown in the Centenary Theatre at the college as part of its arts programme.

It has been devised by the music director Francis Murton and drama co-ordinator Howard Brown.

Mr Murton said: "As part of a revamp of events, the school will be opening its doors to local musicians and international artists, performing in one of the venues at the college."

He added: "The Centenary Cinema aims to bring some of the most iconic films ever produced onto the big screen throughout this year and it is hoped that the Centenary Cinema will become a local cinema for a local audience.

"Films in the forthcoming season include a special showing of the silent movie The Phantom of the Opera with a live organ accompaniment on November 30," he added.

Wellington once had four cinemas.

The Picture Pavilion at Mill Bank and the Grand at Tan Bank no longer exist, while the last one to close, The Clifton, is now a Dunelm furnishings store.

The Town Hall was also once used as a picture house.

The new cinema is to be launched on September 8 with a big screen showing of The Shawshank Redemption, starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.

The film will be starting at 7.30pm and tickets, which will cost £5, can be booked at boxoffice@wrekincollege.com