Iconic Plaza Cinema in Port Talbot to be returned to former glory

A CRUMBLING iconic Port Talbot building is at last to be brought back to its former glory.

The derelict Plaza Cinema has been sold to Neath Port Talbot Council.

It now wants to see how the property, which closed in 1999, can be shoe-horned into any local redevelopment scheme.

The council's head of regeneration, Gareth Nutt, said: "The council purchased the Plaza Cinema for the very reason that it recognises both the regard with which it is held within the town, and also its strategic significance as part of the council's aspirations for the regeneration of Port Talbot town centre, in particular the lower end of Station Road and Harbourside.

"It is the council's desire to see the cinema once again, returned to productive use."

It is not known how much the authority paid for the building.

But Port Talbot councillor Andrew Tutton said he was pleased the council had bought the rundown Talbot Road cinema which in its heyday, was a hugely popular local attraction.

"I have been campaigning for it for such a long time," he said.

"The Plaza has been left in such a state.

"Over the years, the council has been chasing the owners to get it repaired.

"The council is unsure what they are going to do with it, but there are a few suggestions coming forward."

Mr Tutton added that it would be ideal if work could start on the Plaza at the same time Royal Buildings was demolished.

The Talbot Road building is to be demolished along with buildings in Eagle Street and Beverley Street to make way for a new complex of 43 flats and shops.

"It would be great if they could do something to the Plaza at the same time work is being done on the Royal Buildings," he said.

"It makes sense, and I will be suggesting this to the council."

Conservative candidate for South Wales West, Suzy Davies said: "Times change and the world moves on. The important thing now is to try and find a new role for it which is relevant to the needs of the area in 2011."

gill.roberts@swwmedia.co.uk

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503366/s/11fa26cf/l/0L0Sthisissouthwales0O0Cnews0Ccinema0Enew0Efuture0Carticle0E31346880Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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