Lights, camera, no action for Walsall's new multi-million pound Vue cinema
Work on Walsall's new multi-million Vue cinema complex has hit a standstill - with the leader of the council saying developers had pulled the plug altogether.
It emerged earlier this year that the project had stalled due to sewer works, with bosses saying it would realistically be 2016 before the £12 million, nine-screen cinema and leisure complex in Littleton Street West opened.
But Walsall Council leader Mike Bird today revealed he was under the impression the scheme was now off the cards altogether.
"We are conscious of the fact there won't be a cinema there," he said. "They are now looking at a different retail scheme but that's still commercially confidential."
Developers Cordwell Property Group declined to comment.
Work started at the site near Tesco at the end of last year, but months later it seems to be no further on.
St Matthews councillor Mohammed Arif said it would be disappointing if the scheme had failed before even getting off the ground. He also said the site was not suitable for more shops.
"It would be disappointing," said Councillor Arif. "That's not the kind of area we would want a retail outlet.
"We are already bringing in Co-op next to Primark and the St Matthews Quarter is also going to be a retail outlet."
It comes as another £12m cinema development, which started around the same time, is taking shape at Walsall Waterfront. That development opposite Crown Shopping Park will include a Light cinema, Chiquito, Pizza Express, Bella Italia and Hungry Horse, and is heading towards completion this year. The building work is being carried out by Kier Property.
Cordwell Property Group said its scheme had been delayed earlier this year due to a change in design to one of the restaurant units where Asian buffet chain, Mimosa plans to open a 370-seater restaurant.
Bosses said the changes had affected drainage designs and they were finalising a 'party wall agreement' with a premises in Stafford Street, near to the building work, to set out how the work should progress.
It has been two decades since Walsall town centre had a cinema after the old Cannon, previously known as ABC, closed in 1993 to make way for the regeneration of Park Street.
It was replaced by the building now occupied by Poundland and Pure Gym near Walsall's New Art Gallery.
The rival schemes in Littleton Street West and the Walsall Waterfront promised to bring hundreds of jobs to the town.
