West Berkshire Cinema Plans

4.54.00pm GMT Thu 3rd Feb 2005

West Berkshire Liberal Democrats in February announced exciting news that West Berkshire could have its own cinema as soon as next year.

West Berkshire Executive Member for Culture and Leisure, Liberal Democrat Cllr Mike Rodger, hailed the proposal as a 'win-win' for the district.

"West Berkshire Councillors with David Rendel MP and Charles Kennedy MP outside the Kennet Centre, Newbury."

"We will have at long last secured what the local community most wants - a cinema - and at no cost to Council Tax payers. The cinema is especially important to young people in the district and will be a catalyst for further economic growth and new jobs in the Town. This is all part of our exciting and far reaching vision for Newbury 2025. A combination of new car parking income and the introduction of an evening charge would cover the agreed funding."

Cllr Billy Drummond added:

"The Conservatives have always attacked the idea for this fantastic facility on the basis that tax payers of West Berkshire should not subsidise this vital enterprise. As reported, it is the users - and the users alone - of this new cinema who will pay for it through car parking charges and ticket prices.

I am astounded that the Conservatives are so petty as to continue to criticise this great success for the people of West Berkshire.

Perhaps the Conservatives have forgotten that one of the main reasons that voters kicked them out of the Council in the first place was their refusal to help redevelop the Corn Exchange, which is now an outstanding success.

The people of West Berkshire have always wanted this cinema and the response to this good news has been overwhelming. Perhaps when the Conservatives finally recognise that the cinema is good news, the people of West Berkshire might finally believe that they are no longer entirely out of touch."