WILDMOOR (Cirencester Ltd)’s managing director Mark Booth has issued an exclusive statement to the Wilts and Glos Standard confirming his commitment to the controversial cinema scheme.

“There will be a cinema in Cirencester,” he said.

The property developer behind the proposed Brewery Court development has moved to assure Cirencester residents that he is determined to press ahead with the scheme and denied that he is hiding anything.

The Brewery Court development has come under scrutiny as building work has yet to be begin on the project that was originally granted planning permission in 2014.

There has been disquiet expressed by both local residents and councillors about both the delay to the scheme and concerns about the area falling into disrepair.

“There have been significant challenges and delays to the cinema (Brewery Court development), many of which I cannot speak about due to confidentiality agreements, but I remain committed to the scheme,” Mark said.

“This is a development which will have a significant and lasting beneficial impact on the town, and it is important we get it right.”

The Corn Hall and Kings Head developer added: “I have put a lot of time, effort and funding, including personal finance, into this project and do not want to see it wasted. Having invested heavily in Cirencester town centre over the last 20 years I remain committed to ensuring it remains an attractive and vibrant place to visit.

“The high street landscape has changed significantly so it has to be a development that is a look into the future of town centres. I want to get it right in every way – it has to be something that Cirencester as a town is proud of.

“It is not in my interests or my companies’ interests to delay the project hold this up in anyway and I assure everyone of that. An announcement will be made as soon as when it is possible, we are not hiding anything.” he added.

Addressing directly the fears of Councillor Jenny Hincks about the state of the area, he said that he shared her concerns.

“I want to improve the area and over the coming weeks we will be addressing this,” he said. He added that he was “happy to work with her and other local stakeholders to make sure the site does not fall into disrepair.”

Cllr Hincks, who has been a vocal critic of both the delay and the state of the site, welcomed Mark's announcement. “I am really pleased that he has committed himself to the town and to tidying up the area and will be glad if something gets done but he should be talking directly to us, the councillors, so that we can tell the public.”

Councillor David Fowles confirmed that he was working with Mark Booth, the Civic Society, Cirencester Community Development Trust and the Town Council. "We have some exciting ideas to make the area more attractive whilst plans for the cinema are developed," he said.