'Former cinema should show films once again'

Mel Allcott says the site could be something special

A councillor has appealed to creative and entrepreneurial investors to take over the site of a former cinema and restore it as a "bespoke" venue that shows films for the first time in more than half a century.

The Northwick Theatre opened in Worcester in 1938, and later turned into a cinema before becoming a bingo hall in 1966. Abandoned in 1982, it lay empty until 1991 when it became a live music venue, and was taken on as a furniture shop in 2004.

The premises, a Grade II listed building on Ombersley Road, has been on sale since November of that year.

"I just think it's a real opportunity - it would be such a shame... to see it converted into apartments or something," Mel Allcott said.

"If there are creatives out there, entrepreneurs, or people who are looking for somewhere to have a cinema venue, a bespoke one, please come and have a look."

The Liberal Democrat, who represents Claines Ward, said: "It was always intended to be a cinema, if you go inside now there's all the original works of John Alexander, an interior designer, and it's the only building in the country that has some of his original works complete.

"On either side it's got these mythical figures that are walking up an art deco staircase, they're really quite stunning."

The Northwick is currently run as a furniture shop

Outlining her vision, Allcott added: "I would like to see it, similar to The Regal at Evesham… just a very bespoke cinema, and display independent films and have a really fantastic food and drink offer.

"Culturally and economically, it would definitely be a boost and it would put us a bit more on the map for something special.

"You go in there and there's a real sense of occasion about it, a sense of importance, you feel that you've arrived somewhere.

"You just need to go in and step in… you get a real sense of what it could be."

The Northwick first opened its doors as a theatre, in 1938