MERLIN Cinemas, the company which runs Okehampton’s New Carlton Cinema, has submitted a planning application for a third screen and alterations to the current toilet layout in the Charter Hall foyer.

Okehampton Town Council has discussed an application for listed building consent from Merlin Cinemas — the company that runs the cinema on Market Street.

Merlin Cinemas has formally proposed the introduction of a third screen alongside an alteration to the toilet layout.

Okehampton Town Council recently recorded its support to the planning authority of an application for listed building consent for proposed additional screen and alteration to existing toilet layout at the New Carlton Cinema.

Town Clerk Paul Snell said: ‘The New Carlton Cinema management has been discussing plans with the town council over a number of months, and the council is delighted that the turret room, where the third screen will be built, will provide a new facility to cater for the cinema-going public in and around Okehampton.’

In addition, the plans for the new washroom arrangements will considerably improve ease of access for both cinema customers and for people attending events at the Charter Hall.

Okehampton Town Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey said that the range of films and live transmissions of high quality theatre and opera performances was a real advantage for a town of this size and welcomed the fact that the New Carlton Cinema was investing in its long term future as an entertainment venue in the town centre.

With the council’s support, Merlin Cinemas intend to press forward with detailed plans for the extension.

Geoff Greeves, on behalf of Merlin Cinemas, said: ‘We have just finished ten years of trading in Okehampton and we feel as though there is a huge demand for more film screenings.

‘We currently license the upstairs area of the cinema as a bar — however it is rarely used — so we have plans to turn this area into a small luxury third screen that will be able to satisfy the demand for more films.

‘If all the approvals are in place, we hope to start this project fairly early into the new year. ‘

At a recent town council meeting, it was also discussed that plans were already in motion to make refurbishments to the Charter Hall and Okehampton Town Hall — situated next door to the cinema.

External painting of the windows on the ground floor has been completed, and the renovation of the first floor kitchen has also been finished with the installation of new cupboards, and improvements to the adjoining toilet.

The council also considered items of project expenditure for the next budget round. It was agreed to provide scaffolding and painting to address the remaining external windows.

As for the Charter Hall, it was discussed that the current leaks in the roof were in need of repairs. Councillors noted that under-expenditure on the property budget could be carried forward and added to the ear-marked reserve for roofing in the following budget year.