Archive - Tuesday, 2 March 2004


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A new cinema option?

THERE is another property available in Abergavenny that may be suitable to use as a cinema, a local councillor has revealed.

Cllr Andre Arkell told members of the Bryn y Cwm area committee: "There is possibly another property in Abergavenny that may lend itself to a cinema use, and may be available in the near future."

He was responding to a letter to the Bryn y Cwm area committee from David and Barbara Powell of the Abergavenny Cinema Support Group asking if there were any alternatives to the Bethany Baptist Chapel in Market Street.

They questioned whether the building would be big enough, and what would happen if there were problems with the suitability studies.

Cllr Arkell said talks were being held between Monmouthshire County Council's head of asset management Debra Hill-Howells and the Welsh Development Agency over the future use of the chapel.

The WDA owns the chapel and when the lease with Homemakers Community Recycling ends they will sell the property.

But he mentioned another property which may become available in the near future, although he declined to name it.

Cllr Arkell added that a structural survey on the chapel may not be favourable, and they have to wait for the valuation figure from the WDA.

Cllr Verona Nelmes said the whole committee totally supported the cinema group when they gave a presentation. She added: "We support the principle of a cinema. It is always possible that a cinema could go on the outskirts of the town."

The area manager Dale Roberts mentioned the mobile rural cinema project which is touring village halls in Monmouthshire, and will be at Llanddewi Skirrid on Saturday.

Cllr Jane Foulser said: "It's nice for people in the rural areas, but not so nice for the people of Abergavenny. Couldn't you take the mobile cinema to Abergavenny leisure centre to give townspeople a chance?"