Ipswich Film Theatre closes while Waitrose is built

The Waitrose store will have its entrance on Princes Street

Ipswich Film Theatre is to close while a new Waitrose store is built.

Jane Riley, chair of the Ipswich Film Theatre Trust said: "We're still somewhat shocked by it because we've really only known it was going to happen within the last few weeks."

The cinema will close on Friday, 28 October for three weeks.

The supermarket said disruption in the Corn Exchange complex was being minimised and the venue did not have to shut.

The Corn Exchange, which is owned by the council, includes two cinema screens in the basement which are operated by the volunteer-run trust.

Waitrose was granted planning permission last month to take over a bar area above the film theatre.

'Minimise disruption'

Ms Riley said: "Where they've got to put a door in is right behind the projection room and it's going to create too much noise and disruption.

"It was quite clear when the planning application was put in, that the proposals were on the basis that we would not be affected either during the operation of the store or during the building.

"It's turned out not to be true."

A Waitrose spokesperson said: "We met with the council and the Ipswich Film Trust to develop the construction programme around their showings to minimise disruption to them, however they have taken the decision to close for a short period."

The trust said the film theatre should re-open on Tuesday, 22 November.

Waitrose has said its store will open on 1 February 2012.