THE Palace Cinema in Risca has had more than 120,000 visitors since it re-opened its doors to the public as a new library and customer service centre in December 2011.

The Grade II listed Palace cost £2.25m to redevelop after standing derelict for more than 20 years.

Originally opened around 1912, the Risca Palace was one of the first purpose-built cinemas in the area. It continued to show films into the 1960s, becoming a bingo hall in the 1970s before closing in the mid-1980s.

In June 2009, more than 300 local residents staged a protest march calling for action to preserve the derelict building.

The new Palace Cinema boasts a library, customer services, a youth space, meeting rooms and space to stage arts events and film nights.

There have been 120,074 visits between December 2011 and December 2012.

Nearly 40,000 customers have visited the customer service centre to make a payment, or access a range of council services such as applying for a Blue Parking Badge, applying for housing benefit or getting help with their council tax.

Caerphilly council'a deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate services, Keith Reynolds, said, "The investment in this important town centre facility has allowed us to create a bustling social and educational hub offering a range of fantastic services, of which local people have been able to take full advantage."

Vicar of Risca John Blackburn, who was involved in the campaign for the renovation, said: "It is wonderful, I’m very pleased with how it has turned out. The refurbishes Palace is obviously meeting a real need in Risca, a need that has long been a necessity.

"I’m thrilled that the response to the new Palace Cinema is so outstanding, and I hope that its current amenities can be enhanced to meet the ongoing needs of this community."