A CAMPAIGN to reopen the historic Regal Cinema in Ringwood town centre has received a boost after developers agreed to consider selling the building to residents.

Last month the building’s owners met with representatives from Save the Regal Cinema in Ringwood campaign group to discuss plans for the building.

The campaign group’s aim is to reopen the venue as a family entertainment space for people to enjoy.

However plans from Development Securities Ltd involve keeping the facade of the Regal Cinema but demolishing the auditorium behind it to make way for new shops linking the Furlong to the Market Place.

But according to Mike Tuck, chairman of the Save the Regal Cinema in Ringwood campaign, the developers had gone back to the drawing board in relation to the Furlong.

“The shopping link to the Market Place is now unlikely to happen, mainly because the developer has been unable to purchase the additional land necessary for the proposal,” said Mr Tuck.

“We were hoping the Regal building might now be surplus to the developer’s requirements however it would seem that they may still wish to retain ownership of the site and explore several other possible options, it was unclear exactly what the developers intend to do next.

“There was some talk of leasing out the upper floor of the building and developing the lower floor with shops and restaurants.

“However the developer has been requested to give consideration to selling the whole site to the group and the question is to be put to the board of directors.

A public meeting will be held at the Ringwood Meeting House from 7.30pm on Thursday, July 14 to discuss plans for group’s plans for the Ringwood Regal.