THERE are hopes by Cotswold District Council to continue overdue plans for a cinema and retail complex in Cirencester.

Plans to complete the cinema complex in Brewery Court by summer this year appeared to have been abandoned in November last year, after Everyman Media Group, which was due to run the cinema, backed out of the deal.

Prior to this, doubts were raised in summer last year over whether a new cinema in Cirencester would ever be completed as construction work had not started.

Cotswold District Council have expressed hopes to continue work on the cinema complex in a draft update of its corporate strategy, which will be voted on by cabinet members on Thursday.

Work to progress the cinema and retail scheme was listed as one of the council’s top tasks for 2017/18 under its priority to protect and enhance the Cotswold environment while supporting economic growth.

The £48million development, which includes a four-screen cinema, six shops, four restaurants and a 110-bed student accommodation, gained planning permission in November 2014.

The cinema would be expected to bring huge benefits to the town, including up to 150 jobs – 50 of which would be full time, according to Mark Booth, managing director of developer Wildmoor Properties.

Residents however said that parking near the cinema and in the centre of the town would be an issue as there are already parking shortages in the Brewery Court area.

Former mayor Joe Harris criticised the plans as being ‘too big and too ugly’ earlier last year.

Among its list of priorities, the district council also hopes to submit the Local Plan to the Department of Communities and Local Government by early summer and to work to address Cirencester’s car parking needs, which includes the development of decked parking at the Waterloo.

Other top tasks highlighted in the council’s Corporate Strategy include the completion of further flood alleviation works and participating in Gloucestershire County Council’s Fastershire scheme to roll out high speed broadband to all parts of the district.

What do you think about news that plans for a cinema complex in Cirencester could progress? To speak to a journalist, email ann.yip@wiltsglosstandard.co.uk or call 01285 627319.

Related: Council sets sights on reviving cinema plans