Go ahead for cinema complex (From Stroud News and Journal)

Go ahead for cinema complex

STROUD was given the go ahead for a £7.2 million leisure centre yesterday including a brand new cinema for the town.

Construction of the four-floor complex on the site of Merrywalks bus station will feature a five-screen 720-seat cinema, a 20-lane bowling alley and a handful of shops, including hardware chain store Wilkinson's.

The work is expected to begin in October this year and open in autumn 2004.

Bill Wrather, chairman of Manchester-based Streetlands, which owns Merrywalks and commissioned the design, said:

"I was confident ultimately we would get it because there was the will on the part of the council and us to get it through.

"The whole thing hopefully will be a big boost to the town and will make people want to come and shop in Stroud and give leisure opportunities to youngsters and adults."

Before the eight to two vote in favour of the plans, Cllr Mike Williams (Con) said:

"This is a site that has been crying out for development for 25 years and I wholeheartedly support it."

Cllr Paul Smith (Lib Dem), voted in favour of the plans but with strong reservations.

He said: "I agree with the general principle because Stroud certinaly needs something to bring life to the town but looking at the design from an aesthetic point of view - it's a complete mess. It looks like a tin shed."

Cllr Janet Woods (Indep), voted against and said: "There is a somewhat hostile look about the building. It is not a building that smiles at you."

During construction buses will use temporary bays on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park and the grass verge opposite the bus station will be converted.

Cllr John Marjoram said: "I do think we could have done much, much better on this. We have got to get a proper bus station in this town."

The council made it a condition that any change of use from a cinema would have to be considered again.