YOUR leader page, January 29, outlines Warrington’s growth and its hopes for the future.

Item 14 on #Love Warrington talks of the long-awaited town centre development including a multi-plex cinema.

This is badly needed and will be very popular. I have campaigned over many years to include a theatre space in such a complex.

The borough councillors should insist that the cinema developer plans one of the cinema spaces to be flexible enough to be made into a theatre when required. It would need extra outlay to make a stage space deep enough with necessary equipment but it is hardly a new idea.

Other examples range from a tiny venue (300 seats) in north Wales which shows films and hosts the Welsh Opera Company etc to the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool (3,000 seats) where a huge screen rises from the floor area when the 100-player orchestra is not in situ!

The cinema company could generate enough money showing films to help subsidise the theatre space which might accommodate professional shows and be a venue for the many performing arts amateur groups in the town.

All the surrounding restaurants and parking facilities would help too.

In Peter Magill’s Podium column there is mention of the need to consider the next generation of Warrington citizens.

They would thank us for our foresight.

There will never be enough money to develop a venue like The Brindley.

Let us seize this opportunity and I hope Warrington residents and arts groups will support the idea.

CLLR CELIA JORDAN
Liberal Democrats, Stockton Heath