A BATTLE for a big-screen return to Kidderminster has started with the announcement of two cinema plans.

Two big guns will slug it out to become the first silver-screen operators in town for 20 years.

Centros Miller has submitted proposals for a six-screen, 900-seat cinema on the town centre Weavers' Wharf development.

Meanwhile, B and Q is expected to submit its plans for a four-screen cinema, with two restaurants and "Big W" Woolworths store on the out-of-town-centre Crossley Retail Park site, within days.

However, both proposals have potential pitfalls.

The Centros Miller plan would involve the demolition of the much-admired Piano Building.

The B and Q site is currently zoned for bulky goods use under planning regulations and would require a departure from existing rules to house a cinema.

However, Wyre Forest District Council environment and economic regeneration portfolio holder Howard Martin stressed the authority would pull out all the stops to land a cinema.

He said: "It is very exciting news to have one application on the table and another possibly imminent.

"I cannot comment on the B&Q proposal until it is submitted but the Centros Miller plan would fit in with the regeneration of the area, part of which is having a mixed economy in the town centre.

"Our job is to bring the cinema in but then it is up to the people of the district to use it. We want the whole community to get involved to ensure it is a viable commercial proposition."

Both proposals are self-financing. The successful applicant would be the first cinema operator in town since the ABC closed in 1982.

Moviegoers currently have to travel to Merry Hill, Worcester and Bridgnorth.

Former council leader Mike Oborksi, who led the cinema negotiations before the authority's administration changed last month, urged the council to grasp the opportunity to land a movie house.

He said: "The council needs to get its act together and make sure we get a cinema. We are going to launch a petition calling for this.

"If you are a resident of Wyre Forest and have been rightly moaning about the lack of a cinema for 20 years, now is the time to do something about it.

"There are concerns over both proposals but the council must ensure it does not throw out the baby with the bathwater."

Centros Miller was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

However, B and Q asset manager Suzi Clay stressed its proposal would bring many benefits to the town.

She said: "We believe we can draw shoppers and cinema-goers to Kidderminster and prevent them leaving for rival centres such as Merry Hill.

"Crossley Retail Park is a gateway site, located on a main route into the town, and it provides a major opportunity to create a positive initial impression.

"In addition, it is within easy walking distance of the town centre and there is much evidence of shoppers visiting both the park and town centre on the same trip.

"We are confident that an enhanced Crossley Retail Park would draw new visitors not only to the park itself but also to the town centre."