MINEHEAD’s new three-screen Avenue Cinema will finally open its doors to the movie-going public on Wednesday, May 4 - nearly two-and-a-half years after planning permission was granted - owners Pat and Beryl Scott confirmed this week.

“The first two days will be a trial period to make sure everything is working properly, to which everyone is welcome, so long as they realise there may be hold-ups during the programme while we get things right ,” Mr Scott said.

“On May 5 the film showing will be Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. We will open permanently on May 6 and among the first films to be shown will be the latest cinema version of Downton Abbey and Operation Mincemeat, a Second World War drama. Family films will also be running in the morning.”

Mr Scott added that a gala opening will be probably be held in about two months’ time. “Local dignitaries will be invited and so will all the wonderful people who have transformed what was a derelict discount store into a state-of-the art family entertainment centre, despite all the setbacks caused by Covid.

“I was originally told about the vacant building by Minehead’s mayor, Cllr Paul Bolton, who has backed us all the way and will be invited to officially cut the ribbon.” Building work to convert the former Lifesytyle Warehouse discount store, next to the Regal Theatre, started in January 2020 but progress was halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Minehead has been without a commercial cinema since Butlin’s closed the one on its site to the public in 2017. Since then, movie fans have had to travel to Taunton, Bridgwater or Lynton to see the latest films.

Mr Scott, who with his wife runs cinemas in Burnham-on-Sea and Frome, said work to finish the Minehead project was now going full speed ahead. He added: “Had it not been for the pandemic we would have been up and running by now. I can’t wait for the work to be finished and to get the place opened.

“I have never had such wonderful support for any other project. Everyone seems thrilled that the cinema is coming back to Minehead and say it could bring new life back to the town. I have been dreaming of this project for a long time.

“My plan is to bring back old-fashioned cinema service that made going to the pictures such an event when we were young.”

Major work on the building included replacing the leaking asbestos-clad roof with copper-green panels and transforming the massive store space into three cinemas. Two will each accommodate 60 people and a third 112. The exterior, fronting the Avenue, has been renovated but not basically changed in style.

Mr Scott added: “I fell in love with the building when I first saw it and knew it would be perfect for the project. It’s an excellent centre-of-town location and next to a car park. It ticks all the boxes.”