CONCERNS about the future of Wales’ oldest cinema have been raised with further delays to their planned reopening date.

In November, the Market Hall Cinema, in Brynmawr, was issued with a closure notice by Blaenau Gwent council during works to build a second screen.The warning referred to a potentially asbestos-contaminated roof space over the adjacent former town library.

While cinema chiefs have praised the public for their support during the closure, plans to open in mid-January have not been met.

A recent post on the cinema’s Facebook page expressed “sadness” that “loyal friends” and Blaenau Gwent children are being “deprived” of the cinema’s facilities and said that the cinema was “doing all in (its) power to open the doors as soon as possible.”

Responding to the post, Facebook user Daniel Pearce, said: “People are worried at the lack of the response from the council [...] no info leads to paranoia.”Angela Williams, posting on Facebook, added: “We need this cinema back open. It’s the place we want to be”.

After council funding cuts threatened to close the cinema in 2013, a community group took over the site, quadrupling the number of screenings and hosting cult nights and film premieres.

In 2016, the cinema also scooped several awards including the “Best Cinema Experience in Wales” at the Welsh Hospitality Awards and a nomination as a UK social enterprise of the year. At 122 years old, it’s also considered as the oldest cinema in Wales.

Brynmawr town councillor, Wayne Hodgins, added that a “speedy solution” should be found to the cinema closure.

The cinema have confirmed, via Facebook. that they’re working to transfer assets from the council to “community ownership” and hope that cinema-goers can gather in the building next month to celebrate the cinema’s 123rd birthday.

A Blaenau Gwent council spokeswoman said: “The cinema group operate under a tenancy licence agreement from the council and they have been working with the council towards a longer term arrangement. The council and cinema group are continuing to work closely together to resolve the situation with the view to safely reopen as soon as possible.”