THE big screen is returning to Redditch, with plans for a new cinema in the Kingfisher Centre announced yesterday.

Apollo Cinemas will operate a seven-screen cinema in the centre's upper mall. It is due to open in November.

The complex will include stadium seating and a spacious lobby with a fast-track ticketing service. There will also be luxury seating in premiere class areas and a bar with seating area.

Kingfisher Centre manager Ian McLelland said: "We have been working with Apollo for several months and know they will deliver a much needed leisure facility, both to the shopping centre and to the town itself."

He added: "We will open some car parks for longer hours and will allow customers a direct route to the cinema via a new escalator."

Mr McLelland said they would probably open Car Park 1 for 24 hours and perhaps Car Park 4, which would allow access off the ring road.

But he would not be drawn on what impact the new cinema would have on the proposed Abbey Stadium development, which is also set to have a multi-screen facility.

Redditch Council director of cultural and development services Paul Patten said: "On the whole, we are delighted the town will have a cinema, it's good for the people and for the town.

"We don't know what effect it will have on the Abbey Stadium as we do not know what the inspector will say about the public inquiry."

On the Kingfisher plan, Council Leader Phil Mould said: "I'll believe it when I see it."