Former Oswestry cinema to get new lease of life
A former cinema which has lain empty for several years will be brought back to life as a shop, it has been revealed.
The Original Factory Shop will open a new outlet in Oswestry's former Regal Cinema in Leg Street. Adverts have been published for an assistant manager and supervisor for the new shop, which it is hoped will open this summer.
The shop will have an entrance on Cross Street, which has a number of empty shop units, giving hope that other retailers will follow its lead in the coming months.
The company already has branches in Whitchurch, Bridgnorth and Market Drayton.
Oswestry's deputy mayor Councillor Paul Milner said having such a large shop opening in the area would give a boost to Cross Street.
It comes after several attempts were made to find a new use for the cinema building, which closed in 1994. Among the ideas suggested for the building since has included a venue for the arts.
Councillor Milner said: "Having one of Oswestry's iconic buildings, The Regal Cinema, opening again as a retail store in Cross Street will not only be encouraging but good news for the town.
"Most of the cinema building has now been empty for years and to have it opening again can only be good for the town centre, with the entrance being located in Cross Street. Hopefully this may encourage other retail outlets to come to our town and take over the few other empty shops in that area.
"It's good that it's going to be opening up and creating new jobs for the town, especially in that location. I hope it will bring new people in as well to the empty units."
A spokesman for The Original Factory Shop said its plans have not yet been confirmed but that the shop is likely to open in mid-July.
