THE two live screenings of the world-renowned André Rieu concerts at the Regent Centre are set to go ahead, despite the venue being closed for nearly two weeks.

Christchurch Borough Council was due to receive a full structural report on the High Street building yesterday.

The Regent Centre was originally due to be closed last week while refurbishment work was carried out in the bar area.

However, while this work was carried out council engineers discovered a structural issue on the exterior of the south side of the building.

At the time Christchurch council extended the closure for another week while a structural report was completed. A council spokesman said that once they had received the report a decision could be made on whether to re-open the venue or extend the closure further.

Depending on the severity of the problem hundreds of André Rieu fans could be left disappointed this weekend after booking tickets to watch the famous violinist’s Maastricht concerts on the Regent’s big screen.

At this time the sold-out screening at 7pm on Saturday and 3pm on Sunday are still due to go ahead.

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering at Christchurch and East Dorset Councils, said: “We are awaiting the report from the structural engineer.

“Once we receive the report we will review its contents and recommendations before deciding what actions are necessary.”

Regent Centre Manager Felicity Porter said: “We are awaiting an update from the council before we can make a decision about this weekend’s scheduled performances. Should it be necessary to cancel any scheduled shows we will contact ticketholders directly.”

Known to millions as ‘The King of Waltz’, André Rieu (inset) is one of the world’s most popular artists. His annual Maastricht concert is the most eagerly anticipated cinema event of the year. It is 30 years since André Rieu started his Johann Strauss Orchestra. in his home town. The Regent is ranked as the number one cinema in the UK and Ireland for the biggest attendance at the screenings of Andre Rieu’s 2015 and 2016 Maastricht concerts.