Sir,

How disappointing to read that the long-awaited redevelopment of the Royal Gate House site has been delayed yet again because of the planning requirement that it must incorporate a cinema, and because no one can be found to operate this facility, the whole development is denied.

This has set me wondering how many local residents really want a new cinema, and, if one were built, how many people would actually support it. My husband and I used to go to the old cinema whenever there was a film of sufficient interest. The audiences were, generally, pretty pathetic with a mere handful of people present, and I remember one occasion when we were the only two seated upstairs.

I was brought up on the era of great films featuring big Hollywood names, when you had to arrive early to avoid a long queue and to ensure a reasonable seat. For the youngsters there were Saturday morning picture shows involving a sing-song first, then being treated to two films. We all joined the Odeon Club and received free tickets on our birthdays. The 'flicks' were something to look forward to each week.

Personally, I find that present day films, with some notable exceptions such as 'War Horse' or 'The Iron Lady' currently, are not sufficiently enticing to persuade me to pay for the privilege of seeing them. I take the view that if you wait long enough they will be released on DVD or be shown on television anyway.

I can understand that, when the visitors come down, there would be an increased demand for a cinema facility, especially if the weather is bad, but what about the rest of the time? After a gap of a few years without a cinema, would we all rush back to fill the seats if a new one were built? It would be interesting if a poll was conducted to find out.

Janice Gryckiewicz,

Seascape,