Curtain stays up at cinema (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Curtain stays up at cinema

CIRENCESTER'S Regal Cinema has escaped closure again - but only for another four months.

The curtain was due to fall on the ailing Lewis Lane picture house and bingo hall this month to make way for a housing development.

But owner Angel Leisure says developer Heritage Homes is still sorting out planning details and the facility should now remain open until the end of September.

It is the second temporary reprieve for the cinema, which had been earmarked for closure in March.

Angel leisure proprietor John Angel said: "The developers are not wishing to take occupation for the next few months. They say they're not ready yet. They have to give us six weeks notice to get out anyway.

"We're not making any money - we're just covering ourselves. We're going to try and keep going."

Film goers, including Lord and Lady Apsley, of Cirencester Park, had campaigned to keep the cinema open, even though the facility was once named one of the worst in the country by TV's Watchdog programme.

Mr Angel said the Regal would need a large investment to make it viable and decided to accept offers from housing developers instead.

Previous applications were turned down due to uncertainty over the extent of valuable Roman remains beneath the surface.

But last year councillors granted permission for 22 houses, six flats and maisonettes to be built in its place.

The cinema's closure was previously delayed when Mr Angel was forced to give mobile phone firm Orange - which had a mast on the cinema roof - 12 months' notice.

That ran out in March but Heritage said they were not ready to move in.

* The Regal, which was built in 1938, was rated by Watchdog as one of the six worst cinemas in the country, after a series of complaints. These included films being delayed, screened upside down, projected out of focus and breaking in the middle.

The building was also branded cold and damp but with lots of character.