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FILM fans in Wantage have welcomed news that the Regent Cinema could reopen after plans to turn it into flats were turned down.

Estate agent Green and Co confirmed it is looking for an operator to reopen and run the Newbury Street cinema.

Plans by the Oxford Development Group to convert the cinema into flats were thrown out in March by a Government planning inspector who said it must remain a leisure facility.

Matthew Green, of Green and Co, said: "The owners accept the decision of the planning appeal and I have been instructed to find a cinema operator. We're in talks with a number of operators and we're hoping to reach an agreement with the one who stands a good chance of success in the long term.

"The owners realised there was a limit to what they could do, and the public outcry with the loss of the cinema suggested it was the most appropriate future use."

Mr Green could not say when or if an agreement would be reached.

Campaigners who raised thousands of pounds to take over the lease, but were turned down in 2006, welcomed the news. Tim Weekes, chairman of Friends of Wantage Cinema, said: "It is very encouraging - I think they eventually realised it could not be used as anything else. Demand is there and if they are willing to put effort in the public will come."

Town councillor Andy Crawford, a member of the cinema friends' group, said: "It is a brilliant result. We are happy to work with anyone in any way that we can to help."

The cinema closed down in 2005 after the original owners claimed it was not profitable and there was no demand for a cinema.

7:42pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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