A DECISION will be made before Christmas on whether Kidderminster will have a cinema for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The conclusion to the long-running saga will be reached by early December after a series of talks between Wyre Forest District Council and cinema operators.

Council leader Mike Oborski exclusively told the Shuttle/Times and News the council would do its utmost to bring a cinema to the town but warned there would be sacrifices - including the demolition of the historic piano building on the KTC1 site as part of the council's investment.

He revealed a four-screen cinema averaging 130 seats per screen showing first-release films was a real possibility - reviving Kidderminster's dreams of a return of the silver screen for the first time since 1982.

However, the public have been warned it will not arrive as part of the town centre redevelopment unless the council invests several million pounds which could lead to delays in moving all council offices to a single site.

The historic piano building which dates back to about 1875 would also be demolished as cinema operators believe it is the only viable site within the new complex.

This is likely to anger Kidderminster Civic Society which won it a reprieve in 1999 when developers agreed to delay demolition if an alternative use could be found. But nothing has materialised and the landmark may be entering its final months of existence.

Wyre Forest folk were outraged late last year on hearing 16 cinema operators had refused to be part of the KTC1 multi-million pound waterfront shopping and leisure development.

The issue sparked a furious row between the then Wyre Forest MP David Lock and Mr Oborski, who along with developers Centros Miller were blamed for failure to secure the cinema and a £4.5 million arts centre.

However, Mr Oborski hit back saying the council had been let down by the Regional Arts Board and other organisations' failure to honour financial pledges.

But discussions with operators in recent weeks have revived hopes again.

Mr Oborski said: "Residents want a cinema in town, I want a cinema in town and we all hope that ends up as the case.

"However, our research has revealed certain conditions. I am certain a cinema will not arrive unless the council invests several million pounds of its own money.

"This is because property developers expect about a 14 per cent return on investment in retail space and a cinema only yields about 7.5 per cent.

"That is why we would become involved financially and then lease out the cinema building. The operator would be responsible for funding the fittings inside the cinema."

He added: "All of the council's capital receipts are tied-up at present but there are a number expected within the next 12 months such as phase two of the town centre development and sale of the cattle market and auctioneers site.

"This means we may have the capital funds for the cinema, but other objectives could fall on the backburner for some time.

"We also know the cinema operators are only interested in building on the piano building site if it is to be in KTC1 as they feel the cinema must be next to other nightlife attractions such as bars and pubs to be a financial success."

He pointed out: "I would stress Council Tax will not go up if this comes to fruition. The council's investment would come from capital receipts."

Council officers will produce a report by the end of November to discuss other potential funding help for the council's cinema bid, planning approvals, possibilities of alternative sites and the business plans of potential cinema operators.

Mr Oborksi said the possibilities would be discussed by the environment and development (overview and scrutiny) group at a meeting on Wednesday.

He will also discuss the matter with members of the council's executive committee before a decision is finally made.