Cinema revamp goes on display

The Scala first opened more than a century ago

A cinema famed as one of the first venues to show moving pictures has moved a step closer to reopening.

On the 11 November plans for the new Scala cinema in Prestatyn will go on display at the town's library.

It was closed three years ago because of structural damage to the building.

In March 2001, campaign group Friends of the Scala was set after a petition was handed in to Denbighshire Council to try to get the cinema reopened.

Proposals costing £2.4m to redevelop the cinema - include creating an arts centre, a cafe bar and improved access for disabled users.

There's nowhere for youngsters to go now and it'll bring Prestatyn high street alive again Sandra Pitt

Sandra Pitt, from the Scala Advisory Group, says she hopes the cinema will give youngsters something to do in their spare time.

"The idea of having a cafe bar means people can meet up there and make a night out of it.

"There's nowhere for youngsters to go now and it'll bring Prestatyn High Street alive again," she added.

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

The plans are believed to also include a visual arts gallery and several general purpose rooms for the use by the community.

The Scala Advisory Group has agreed to set up a charitable company to manage and operate the new cinema.

So, if all goes to plan, residents could be managing the facility themselves.

The Scala cinema was originally built as the town hall in 1898 and had its grand opening on 26 July 1900.

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

Mrs Pitt said she will not believe the cinema is being reopened until the first film is being shown.