Updated Wednesday 22nd January 2003
Cinema:
No Movies For Mill Road

Council Depot in Mill Road

Hopes for a new cinema in Hertford were dealt a blow this week when East Herts District Council voted to sell off the potential site in Mill Road for housing development.

However, Cllr Colin Harris, who has long campaigned for a new film theatre in the town, sought to keep hopes alive with news that talks are still taking place with operators.

It has also been suggested that part of the proceeds from the sale of the land could be used to help establish a cinema in the town.

Possible alternative sites for a picturehouse include the old railway sidings, also in Mill Road, and land currently occupied by Hertford Police Station, which is to be relocated.

Background

The East Herts District Council Depot at Mill Road became vacant when council contractors moved to Ware in the mid-nineties.

The initial plan was to develop a supermarket on the site, which is close to the Town centre and just yards from nearby Tesco. However, residents were largely against the plan and a 700 signature petition for community use was submitted to the authority.

The cinema project suffered a blow however in 1998 when Metrodome plc, who had proposed a picturehouse on the site, withdrew their plans for a four screen cinema and leisure complex.

A second planning application for a supermarket topped by a four-screen cinema was submitted and approved by EHDC's planning sub-committee in May 2000, despite objections from nearby residents.

However, the cinema operator withdrew from the project five months later.

The last cinema in Hertford closed in 1982. The County Cinema was the largest of four that once existed in the town. The 1930's Art Deco building was demolished shortly after despite widespread protest.