National cinema chain Odeon has been announced as the preferred tenant for the planned £6m council-owed cinema development in Bargoed.
The new cinema is due to be built adjacent to the new Morrisons supermarket which is slated to open in the autumn next year. The cinema is part of the second phase of the regeneration of Bargoed.
Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We are delighted to have chosen Odeon for this prestigious scheme. Odeon were the preferred operator given their market leadership position and the very successful launch of a new cinema of similar scale in Llanelli.
“It is fantastic news for Bargoed and the whole of the Caerphilly County Borough. We don’t currently have a multiplex cinema within the county borough and, with a population of over 170,000, it would be a much needed leisure facility for our residents.
“We now look forward to the work starting on site following completion of the retail development and I’m sure the whole community will welcome this exciting news.”
Earlier this year the council agreed to fund the £6million cinema and retail development.
The council will build the cinema itself and then lease it to Odeon, which is currently working with council officials on the lease.
Steve Lavelle, construction projects director for Odeon, said: “We were delighted to be chosen by the council as the preferred cinema operator and look forward to working with the council and the design team on the Bargoed cinema project.”
Is about time! Not nearly enough modem facilities for people in the valleys to have to travel a distance of many miles just to see a film is ridiculous hopefully this is the first of many facilities that will be made available.
A cinema in bargoed is no use to people from blackwood to risca when are we going to get the same facilities as bargoed.
This is excellent news, I'm really pleased to say the least. it's way past time that Bargoed had a cinema again, I remember the old cameo, my Dad used to take me there on the weekends. This will attract people back to the town and restore it to its former glory, I look forward to it.
I am very pleased to hear this. The town once had three Cinemas, although growing up I only remember two. The Hanbury and the Palace (later the Cameo). My father was at the New Hall (Cafe Ballroom Cinema) the night it burned down.
The Showcase Cinema in Treforest is quite a long way off for a lot of people in the upper valley area, with poor transport links.
I don't live in the town any more, but like Marie I hope it's the first of many facilities.
Jan,
Blackwood is a 5 minute drive or a short bus journey from Bargoed. If the cinema brings revenue into Bargoed, shouldn't that be applauded?
I hope the businesses in Bargoed can work with the new developments as it would be a shame if these welcomed changes had a negative impact on the wonderful independent and family owned businesses in Bargoed (I especially have fond memories of the New Continental and Ricci's ice-cream).
This is excellent news and we should be thankful for this much needed investment in Bargoed.