Cinema now just weeks away

A date has been set for the opening of the Electric Palace, a replacement at last for the old Picture House, which closed nearly five years ago. The new cinema will open to the public on November 13, to coincide with the release of the new blockbuster film 2012. It had been hoped it would open for half term.

It was delayed as an operating licence had to be obtained and there was a hold up over building regulations.

An operator for the new cinema was announced last week with Graeme Cotton, of Burton upon Trent, taking on the role.

The two-screen, 650-seat Picture House, on Walsall Road, ran from April, 1914, until February, 2005.

The new facility on the same site has been revamped over the last few months following a fire and will initially feature three screens.

The largest will seat around 200 people in the main auditorium plus 70 on sofa seats located on the balcony.

Screen two will accommodate approximately 170 people including sofas and screen three, which is capable of showing short-run movies, and will also be used for conferences can hold up to 40 people.

The complex also features the 007 Café and Bar and boasts a large car park that will be free to cinema-goers.

Developer Fred Pritchard said: "These things do take time and we have been delayed with trying to get a licence and building regulations.

"Cannock is in need of a cinema and I hope the people of the Cannock will support the venture.

"I really do think they will like what we have done inside and it will prove to be very popular."

The Electric Palace will operate on a temporary basis until an eight-screen multiplex is built at the site as part of the stalled £50 million Avon Plaza leisure and shopping scheme.