Cinema plan calls for public views

The Scala cinema was closed in 2000

Plans to redevelop a cinema in Prestatyn are being discussed at a series of meetings for people living in the town.

The Scala was closed down two years ago because of structural damage to the building.

All the meetings are held in public and the group is urging people to come along to the meetings

Councillor Mike German, Scala Advisory Group

New proposals to redevelop the cinema, and include an arts centre and a cafe bar have now been put forward.

Local residents are being encouraged to attend meetings of the Scala Advisory Group, which has been set up to determine the future of the project.

Following a study commissioned by Denbighshire County Council, proposals for the site include a 150-seat cinema and a second part-time cinema.

The plans also include a cafe and bar overlooking the High Street, a visual arts gallery and several general purpose rooms for the use by the community.

"I am delighted with the news that the plans are progressing," said Councillor Mike German, who chairs the Scala Advisory Group.

"The advisory group was set up to ensure that the views of Prestatyn's residents were represented.

"All the meetings are held in public and the group is urging people to come along to the meetings," he added.

Local group

Denbighshire councillors now plan to commission a second, more detailed study into the renovation proposals, which would also seek to play an important educational role within the town.

Funding for the project is also being sought.

Some local residents have set up the Friends of the Scala group to save the cinema.

The building housing the Scala cinema was opened in 1900 as a town hall and was converted into a picture house 13 years later.

It lost its old fascia in the 1960s, when the blue facade was added.