FILMS will be shown in the newly converted town cinema before Christmas ? that is the promise of the firm behind the scheme to convert the market hall into a modern cinema. Geoff Greaves, of Merlin Cinemas, made the promise at Okehampton Town Council?s properties committee on Monday when he talked to councillors about the progress of the scheme. A planning application has been submitted to West Devon Borough Council for change of use and conversion of the market hall into a cinema. The design comprises two screens with 120 and 80 seats respectively, Merlin had looked at the possibility of having three screens but decided two was a better configuration within the availabe space. The plans show the internal structure of the building will be maintained with access to the cinema from the Charter Hall or Red Lion Yard. Cllr Tony Leech, chair of the committee welcomed the fact, people would be able to watch films in the venue before the end of the year. He said: ?I?m feeling even more positive about the scheme. I think this will be a good Christmas present for the town. ?I think at this point in time, an up to date modern cinema will be an asset to the town. Hopefully, it will bring a bit of prosperity, with people going to the cinema and shopping and eating and drinking in the town.? A delay in another project Merlin Cinemas was carrying out to restore a delapidated cinema building in Ilfracombe has meant the firm has not been able to progress the Okehampton scheme as quickly as it would have liked. Okehampton town clerk Don Bent said: ?Merlin Cinemas have experience of designing cinemas in four or five small towns and they say this is a relatively straight-forward operation.? The planning application is not likely to be determined until the end of the summer. Mr Bent said that pending permission being granted and the legal process completed, the company would be looking to move into the market hall in autumn and complete their work within a couple of months, ready to open to the public in time for Christmas. Mr Bent acknowledged there had been some opposition to the scheme, but said the council remained resolute in its belief in the cinema idea. He said: ?The project is happening. Mr Greaves says he is thrilled to be bringing his cinema to Okehampton and apologises for the delay brought about by hold-ups that were unavoidable in the Ilfracombe project.? Mr Bent said Merlin Cinemas has also told the council the project would create some local employment. He said the council was continuing to work to explore the possibility of relocating those market traders who currently use the hall.
