Support growing for ex-cinema site redevelopment in Oswestry
A business plan is being drawn up to turn Oswestry's former Regal Cinema into a community building after more than 200 people backed the project.
The Regal Cinema and neighbouring former B Wise store could be given a new life in a £750,000 scheme.
A consortium of local people putting together the plans organised a meeting at the weekend and said they were delighted with the response.
Ingrid Knowles said: "There were 200 people that turned up, some for the whole day and others for an hour or so. We also had about 50 people say that they wanted to get involved but couldn't attend the meeting. We had expected about 100 people so were delighted.
"This had given us the heart to push ahead with the next stage, which is to put together a business plan for the buildings."
The group led by Ingrid and Bob Knowles, want to form a community interest initiative, and transform the former buildings into a community space that could be used as for education, entertainment, or as a social hub.
Shareholders
They said workshops were held during the day to look a ways in which the buildings could be used with ideas including a flexible centre area, plays for art and performance events, a food section and areas where help for both mental and physical help could be offered.
A roof garden and disability access were also looked at as well as committee rooms to hire.
"We have had wonderful offers of help from people with skills that they could share with the project from finance to help with planning applications, surveying the building and legal help. It was such a buzzing day."
A shareholders scheme, similar to that used at Fordhall Farm, Market Drayton could be used to help fund the project.
Mr Knowles said he was confident the funding could be obtained to buy and transform the buildings.
He added: “The figure at the moment for the buildings is £750,000.
“It is a lot to raise but we will be looking at big lottery funding and backing from local wealthy folk. Someone has already offered £10,000 to get things going.”
Talks have already been held with Shropshire Council and the Oswestry Business Improvement District project to look at whether they could help the project.
