Cinema may open in 2004 (From Stroud News and Journal)

Cinema may open in 2004

A CINEMA could be operating in Stroud by October next year if the design is given the go ahead next Tuesday.

At a lively public meeting on Monday night, Merrywalks owner and potential site developer Bill Wrather came to Stroud to face his critics and explain the controversial plans.

Mr Wrather and architect Patrick Franks gave presentations on the development before answering a barrage of questions from the public.

Mr Wrather said that if all went according to plan the cinema would be open by October 2004.

Mr Franks dealt with a number of technical queries from a surprisingly high number of architects in the crowd, explaining how the design had been restricted by the district council's planning brief, market forces, the culvert beneath the bus station and Stroud's awkward topography.

The resulting design would see a five screen cinema, bowling alley, space for a bar and restaurant and extra retail units built onto the Merrywalks shopping precinct.

Also included is a drive-through restaurant in the multi-storey car park but it was pointed out the plans were drawn up before McDonald's opened just yards down the road and this idea may well be dropped.

There would be room for four bus bays on the bus station site and the ground floor of the multi-storey car park would be used as a temporary bus station while building work was carried out.

The anchor store was revealed as Wilkinsons and Mr Wrather also explained plans to revamp the existing Merrywalks precinct.

He said his company was prepared to be flexible over details of the design but stressed it was already touch and go as to whether to the development would be profitable in the short term.

Although there were mixed feelings about the development, Stroud resident Andy Freedman summed up what the majority at the meeting seemed to be feeling.

"I very much welcome a scheme which brings a cinema to Stroud," he said. "There are bits of detail that are not to my taste but we've been waiting for this for a long time and I think Stroud needs to take what it can get."