A FORMER cinema is to be transformed into a nightclub and community venue after councillors gave the scheme the go-ahead.

Brothers-in-law Steve Head, pictured below, and Gary Howe will now turn Wantage’s former Newbury Street cinema into a late-night venue called Shush.

Earlier this year, town councillors said they were opposed to the plan because they still hoped the cinema could be revived.

But councillors on the Vale of White Horse District Council’s development control committee on Wednesday agreed with their officers’ recommendation to approve the scheme which will attract late-night drinkers to the venue.

District councillor Sue Marchant said: “I think this is a marvellous project. My only disappointment is that there is no grab-a-granny night in the list of events being planned.”

Mr Head told the committee that his company, H & H Entertainment, was a family business, and that he had lived and worked in Wantage for the past 15 years. He pledged a ‘careful restoration’ of the building, adding: “The majority of locals are of the opinion that Wantage needs something, but the town is not viable for a cinema in its own right. We want to set up a community venue with a wide range of activities, including cinematic events.

“For the past six years, we have been trying to inject life into this decaying building.”

Other activities that could be staged at the club include boxing nights, comedy, cabaret, race nights, talent shows, fashion shows and corporate events. After the councilllors granted planning permission, Mr Head said: “I am delighted by this unanimous decision because the building has been empty for six years.

“We hope to open in the spring and it will be a great community facility. Our doors are open to all community groups and we have already spoken to film enthusiasts in the town.” David Roberts, a spokesman for Friends of Wantage Cinema, whose favourite movie is Love Actually, said: “The cinema closed in October 2005 and I think this is also a sad day for the cinema building. The cinema had two screens with about 80 or 90 seats for each one and I expect the stepped flooring and the seats will now be removed.

“I welcome the developers’ ambitious entertainment plans and really hope that they can deliver what they have promised in the planning application, including maximising the use of the premises for showing films.”

Wantage councillor Jenny Hannaby said a number of residents had objected to the proposals, but she added that there was no reason to refuse the application on planning grounds.

She said: “I hope we can ensure that the elderly do not have a problem with anti-social behaviour.

“I would have preferred a cinema but we hope it will be a good venue for the town. The chamber of commerce have said they would like it to succeed.”

In September, the council gave the developers a late-night licence allowing the club to serve alcohol to up to 500 people until 2am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The club owners are planning to open until about 11pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The councillors approved the planning application subject to a number of conditions including the installation of soundproofing.

Mr Head said: “We will make sure we comply with the conditions of the licence.”