More seats planned for new Walsall cinema
A multi-million pound cinema development planned for Walsall could be expanded to include more than 200 extra seats, under fresh plans revealed today.
Kier Property, which is behind plans for the complex at Walsall Waterfront, wants to alter the layout to increase the seating from 1,039 to 1,245.
The new plans have been lodged with Walsall Council following discussions with the cinema operator.
The Light cinema will form the centrepiece of the £12 million development for the town centre and Pizza Express, Chiquito, Hungry Horse and Bella Italia have also signed up.
The cinema will have at least eight screens.
A report lodged with the plans state that discussions have been ongoing with operators.
It states: "This has resulted in the need for further minor alterations to the approved plans for phase one, including minor changes to the cinema building to reflect final door locations and minor changes to the first two canal side units to accommodate operator requirements.
"The latter includes a slightly reduced service area and the addition of further glazing in the sides of the building, with most glazing introduced in the elevation to the main pedestrian circulation area fronting the cinema building.
"It is considered this minor alteration would be a positive benefit to the scheme.
"Discussions with the cinema operator and the detailed understanding of the cinema layout within the building has resulted in a slight increase in the number of cinema seats."
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The plans state that the proposed amendments would see the number of seats increase by 206, but the gross floor area of the building will remain unchanged.
Around 230 jobs will be created during the first phase of the town centre regeneration project which is expected to be completed next summer.
More units are expected as part of second phase.
It comes as there are rival plans for another cinema complex in the town.
Restaurant space and a number of units will also be built as part of the £12million project known as The Littleton Centre.
Together with the signing of Vue, Cordwell exchanged a development and funding agreement with London based partners Bride Hall.
It will fit in with the long-term £400m Gigaport scheme which aims to create a business and office corridor through the heart of the borough.
It has been 20 years since Walsall town centre has had a cinema after ABC closed in Park Street in 1993. A decision on the plan is expected in the coming weeks.
