I agree with Michael Burke’s letter last week that a three-screen cinema in the centre of town is a most important step forward for the town’s facilities.

However, I must take issue with him over his assertion that as far as he knew (and that, I think, is the point – he doesn’t know) it was “supported not by a single one of our three councils, simply not caring a hoot or getting involved in a potentially stunning project”.

Firstly, it is not within a council’s remit, as a council, to get involved in a commercial deal within the town between two private people or companies.

Secondly, Mr Burke mentions councils not offering financial support and, again, if a council was to financially support a commercial venture such as Mr Scott’s purchase of a venue for a cinema, I am fairly sure there would be an outcry about using taxpayers’ money for this, to say nothing of requests from numerous other commercial ventures for similar financial help.

What I can say and know is that had it not been for the hard work, persistence and energy of Minehead town councillor Paul Bolton, acting in a personal capacity, we might not be where we are today.

Paul was alongside Mr Scott in the protracted but eventually abortive negotiations about the Queen’s Hall, and had it not been for him, Mr Scott would not have been persuaded that there were options for a cinema venue in Minehead other than the Queen’s Hall.

Paul Bolton personally, and not in any way as a representative of the council, invited Mr Scott back to the town and escorted him around a number of potential venues.

It was as a direct result of that visit that Mr Scott decided to put in an offer for the premises in The Avenue.

I for one would like to thank Paul for all his behind the scenes work to ensure that Minehead is once again on the way to having its own purpose-built cinema.

Cllr Sandra Slade, Mayor of Minehead.