l Continued from page 1 originally hoped to have the cinema up and running by this summer. Merlin Cinemas architect has already prepared some drawings for the conversion of the cinema, and the company favours a two-screen building. The mayor said given this delay, the council had more time to continue working with the present users of the market hall to find them alternative accommodation in the town. Cllr Leech said: ?What we have been asking for in the last three months is for people to come forward with ideas for more integrated markets. ?We need people to put together a plan and come to us, and we have already had some interest from traders.? Okehampton Auctions are due to hold their monthly sale next week in the Charter Hall, but are still hoping the council may allow them to remain in the market hall for as long as possible. Town clerk Don Bent said there may still be room for discussion on the sale venue for the next few months. Caroline Shaw, of Okehampton Auctions, said: ?The council told us it was going to be all signed and sealed by now. I think this is just stalling.? Mr Greaves said had the firm been able to sign up to renovate the Carlton Cinema as they would have liked, the project would have been completed ahead of the Ilfracombe one, but as they had committed to the Ilfracombe cinema first they needed to see that project through. He added: ?It is not a deliberate stalling tactic, we are still enthusiastic about the Okehampton scheme.?
