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Comment

We appear to be at something of a dead end as far as the former Regent Cinema in Wantage is concerned.

A planning inspector has thrown out a proposal to convert it into flats, saying it should remain a facility for public entertainment.

Understandably, campaigners now say the owners should seek expressions of interest from a cinema operator.

However, will any cinema operator realistically be interested in reopening the Regent as a commercial proposition? It was losing money before it closed - and that was prior to the opening of a new multi-screen cinema in Didcot.

The planning inspector's insistence that the building should remain in use for public entertainment is a victory for the town.

It must now be followed by sensible talks between the district council, campaigners and developers about how the former cinema could be used.

If a way forward can be found that allows at least some low-key cinema use, then so much the better. The emphasis, however, must be on getting it back into some form of viable and useful entertainment facility.

9:00am Thursday 13th March 2008

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