Prestatyn’s Scala Cinema and Arts Centre has been saved and will re-open in a matter of weeks.
Denbighshire County Council confirmed that it is working with a “preferred operator” to take on the venue after the deadline for expressions of Interests closed.
Scala Cinema Prestatyn 107.jpg
Following the closure, which came shortly after Denbighshire Council said it would end the Scala’s £41,000 grant in April, council bosses said they were seeking serious expressions of interest from experienced operators to open the venue as soon as possible.
It is understood that bosses are now simply sorting through red tape before the name of the new leaseowner is revealed.
A spokesperson from Denbighshire County Council said:
“Our priority remains getting the Scala back up and running as a cinema for the benefit of Prestatyn as quickly as possible and that is what we are working towards.”
Trevor Harris, who was amongst those expressing an interest in the Scala, said he was disappointed after he received a letter last week from the authority stating that his application had been unsuccessful.
The 75-year-old, who has more than 60 years experience in the industry, said he was “shocked and “upset about not being considered and admitted that he had his suspicions as to who the new operator might be.
In a letter written to Denbighshire County Council, which Mr Harris shared with The Journal, the previous owner of Oswestry’s Regal Cinema said: “My son and I thought that the council wanted experienced cinema operators in view of what happened to the Scala.”
Source: Rhyl Journal news article 04.03.15 by Suzanne Jordan
