Housing plan key to securing Bridgnorth cinema's future, says REEL Cinemas boss

The director of REEL Cinemas has spoken out about the future of Bridgnorth’s only picture house after Shropshire Council’s latest local plan showed the site had been earmarked for housing.

A consultation has got under way regarding the plan which sets out where new homes and commercial developments can be built.

Cinema-goers, however, were shocked to see the Majestic Cinema site in Whitburn Street listed on the plan and have reacted with sadness at the possibility it could be redeveloped - with many talking of starting a campaign to try to safeguard the beloved movie theatre which opened back in 1937 and which is the town’s only picture house.

To try to set the record straight and ease some of the concerns, the cinema chain’s owners have stressed they “want there to be a cinema in Bridgnorth for another 90 years” as they explained how a plan for houses on the site could help to secure the long-term future of cinema in the town.

Sunil Suri, director of REEL Cinemas, said: “There have been a lot of discussions recently about the future of the Majestic. I want to be clear: we want a cinema to continue in Bridgnorth for the long term.

“REEL is a family-owned independent cinema business. My father built it. Since he passed away two years ago, I have continued running it alongside many of the people who worked with him. We now operate 16 cinemas across England, but Bridgnorth is a special part of our story.”

But he added: “Like many historic cinemas, the Majestic was built for a different era. If cinema is to remain part of Bridgnorth's future, it needs to evolve.

“The best way to do that is with a new two-screen boutique cinema on this site, one that honours the Majestic's history while creating a venue suited to how people enjoy films today.

“To make this possible, we are discussing a wider redevelopment with Shropshire Council that includes both the new cinema and homes on the site.

“If we could put a cinema here on its own, we would. The truth is the numbers do not work that way, and the housing element is what enables the new cinema to happen.

“We know the Majestic means a great deal to many people in Bridgnorth. Generations of families - grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren - have shared films and special moments there. REEL has operated the Majestic for 23 years, and the local team has collectively worked there for over a century.

“We are proud of these connections, and we want there to be a cinema in Bridgnorth for another 90 years.”

He said REEL asked the council to include the Bridgnorth cinema site in its consultation process last autumn so conversations could happen and “the community could help shape what comes next”.

He stressed that residents will have a chance to comment, ask questions and share their views on any plans for the site and added: “We will be listening.”

Shropshire Council’s consultation on the local plan runs until July 15.

Inclusion in the plan does not necessarily mean the cinema will be developed and residents in Bridgnorth are urged to take part in the consultation to air their views.

The consultation can be found online at getinvolved.shropshire.gov.uk/consultations/shropshire-local-plan-scoping-consultation/.