Evesham Casino On The Cards

A multi-million pound scheme to develop a casino and leisure complex with penthouse apartments on the site of Evesham's Regal Cinema was unveiled this week.

And the revised application already appears to have received a cautious welcome from English Heritage.

The project would include a casino, nightclub, a venue for dancing and bingo, licensed restaurant and bar, takeaway restaurant and three cinema screens with five new rooftop apartments.

According to papers lodged with Wychavon District Council's planning department, the property is now owned by Helen Berry who lives in Dorridge, West Midlands.

When the Journal contacted her this week she said it was too early to talk in detail about the proposals.The agents for the development, Nichol Thomas Ltd of High Street, Birmingham, have submitted plans to alter and extend the art deco building in Port Street which has remained empty since the town's only cinema closed in 2002.

It was declared a Grade II listed building by English Heritage and was widely regarded as one of the finest examples of art deco architecture in the region.

Efforts by volunteers to try to retain the town's only cinema failed and the building was sold.

The latest application was preceded by one which had sought to build two-storey rooftop apartments. That had met opposition from district council planners and English Heritage who believed they would constitute a significant.

Evesham mayor Frances Smith said she would be delighted to see the building being used again, and the return of a cinema to the town.

But, she added: "I would stipulate that any development must be in keeping with the local area."