Group 'sad' as Wellington cinema hopes dealt a blow
A director of the group trying to bring a cinema to Wellington says it is sad that acquiring the town's old landmark facility now looks unlikely but it must be 'pragmatic' moving forward.
The Clifton, in Bridge Road, was last used as a cinema in the late 80s, but campaigners have been working to get it back into use over the last few years.
Fiona Hunter, one of the directors of The Clifton Community Arts Centre group, said the group was reviewing the proposals put forward and will respond before the consultation period closes.
The group had hopes of reclaiming the old Clifton as a cinema but says it will still try to push ahead with its plans to take on the town’s former HSBC bank to turn into a cinema.
Negotiations are ongoing over the site in Station Approach.
A preliminary examination of the building has shown it could be feasible to create an 80-plus seat cinema and cafe-bar on the ground floor and use the upper floors for rehearsal rooms, readings, classes, craft workshops and young people’s activities.
Ms Hunter said: "I don't think we are going to be in the position to acquire the Clifton site. "We are sad at not being able to acquire the Clifton, as are many residents.
"But we have to be pragmatic. If it's not meant to be, it's not meant to be. At least we can try and move forward with the plans for the HSBC."
The planning application, which has been submitted to the council, shows the former cinema will be partly demolished if the scheme gets approval.
The art-deco front façade would be retained.
MCO Marylebone acquired the site last year.
Of the 52 homes, 23 of the properties would have one bedroom and 29 would have two bedrooms.
The development would also have three retail units.
Documents lodged with the application say around 202 people attended a public consultation event in October to view the plans and about 90 per cent of the feedback was positive.
Telford & Wrekin Council is expected to consider the planning application in the coming months.
For more information on The Clifton Community Arts Centre group visit theclifton.org
