PRESSURE to revive the old Regal cinema in the heart of Ringwood High Street is gathering pace.

A petition was signed by more than 800 people wanting see the Regal Cinema venue, which has remained empty for several years, transformed back to its glory days, when it played host to bands like Status Quo, Amen Corner and Edison Lighthouse.

It is understood that Development Securities, which submitted plans for a mixed use development incorporating the old cinema building, approved by New Forest District Council in 2008, still own the building.

In 2012 the developers got together with town councillors in a closed meeting to discuss the way forward on plans to add 12,000 sq ft of extra space to the town’s shopping centre.

It is believed that a stumbling block with redeveloping the site is the car park owned by Marston’s Inns, owners of the Original White Hart, which is understood formed part of the site for redevelopment.

Now a meeting with Marston’s Inns and Development Securities has been scheduled to update Ringwood town councillors this week.

Meanwhile the Ringwood Arts Centre project group, spearheaded by members of Ringwood and District Community Association and Ringwood Musical & Dramatic Society, want to raise £4.5million to build an arts centre, which has been approved by civic chiefs, at Greyfriars.

Ringwood’s Rick White said: “If Development Securities wanted to do something for the community, perhaps they should consider talking with the town council and the arts centre project group to put the heart back into the town centre by redeveloping the Regal into a full entertainment complex.

“This would fill the remit of the recent Town Centre Working party meeting, which was formed to regenerate the town centre and increase footfall. The Greyfriars proposal is most definitely in the wrong part of town, whereas the Regal site sits right in the heart.

“If all parties worked together this could be the very thing to put Ringwood back on the map. What is not needed is more coffee, charity and estate agents.”

Dennis Whitfield, who spearheaded the cinema campaign, said: “It is hoped that the petition that urges the town and district councils and the Furlong owners to discuss the option of bringing back a full entertainment complex in the old cinema, will be presented at the meeting this week.”

Ringwood Town clerk Steve Nash said the town council is 'considering all options for the redevelopment of High Street'. If that is the proposal (to turn the building into a cinema) that comes forward we will take that into consideration.”