Multi-screen cinema is planned for Walsall

A new multi-screen cinema could be on its way to Walsall town centre, it was revealed today.

Walsall Council chiefs are in negotiations with a cinema operator about the ambitious multi-million pound plans.

The previous town centre picture house was closed in 1993, after more than 50 years, and later demolished to help make way for Woolworths. But council regeneration bosses are now in talks with an unnamed cinema company over building a new large, modern complex.

The potential site has not been revealed at this stage although a number of areas have already been earmarked for redevelopment. These include the St Matthews Quarter and Walsall Waterfront, where a hotel is now under construction on part of the land.

Both sites are expected to come under consideration for the scheme.

Cinema-goers across Walsall currently have to travel to Showcase in Bentley or Cineworld in Wednesfield. It is hoped a new cinema will attract more visitors into the town centre and fit in with existing and future leisure facilities.

Regeneration councillor Adrian Andrew said: "A cinema operator is interested in Walsall and we are working closely with landowners and developers to do everything that we possibly can to see if we can make it happen.

"We have been working hard to get a cinema operator in Walsall. We have got one interested and now we need to work hard with developers to make sure we can secure this for the future of Walsall."

The previous cinema at the top of Park Street opened in the 1930s and was called the Savoy. Before that, Her Majesty's Theatre had occupied the site.

It was a three-screen picture house until it closed in November 1993 when it was then known as Cannon Cinema.