Palace Cinema meeting today (From South Wales Argus)

Palace Cinema meeting today

8:10am Sunday 5th July 2009

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RESIDENTS in Risca will get the chance to hear about progress on plans for the Palace Cinema today.

Representatives from owners Johnsey Estates, Tesco and the council will meet with residents at Risca Rugby Club today to talk about ongoing development in the town Risca West councillor Phyllis Griffiths said the meeting, which runs from 10am to 1pm, will give the council and landowners the chance to talk to people in the area about how plans for developing the area are progressing.

The building has been empty for more than 20 years and has fallen into disrepair, prompting a 300-strong protest march at the site last month, calling for action to be taken to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.

Vicar of Risca, John Blackburn, who organised the march, said: "If they are reacting to the protest, that's a good thing, hopefully there will be some more information on the other hand we don't want another false dawn.

"I'm pleased this has come about and we're being given information, but what we want is action rather than promises."

The Venerable Blackburn has also started a petition, which has more than 1,000 signatures.

In May 2006, permission was granted to Johnsey Estates to start work on a new library and One Stop Shop, but the developer pulled out of negotiations over claims of the amount of rent that was to be paid.

Johnsey Estates director, Kevin Johnsey said there are plans under way for the building to be turned into a Tesco Express and state-of-the-art library.

Caerphilly council said it is keen to see the site brought back into community use and we are working closely with a developer make sure this happens as quickly as possible.

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