A BINGO hall on Blackwood’s high street is to be transformed into a new multiplex cinema after the building was purchased before it went to auction last week.

A town council meeting was held in Blackwood on Tuesday where it was confirmed that the building would be handed over to Picturedrome Cinemas, based in Bognor Regis, when the Top Ten Bingo Blackwood is finally expected to close for business next month.

The building had initially been called for auction, but local firm Four Seasons Entertainment, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Picturedrome, were “determined” to secure its ownership. The new cinema is expected to open next spring or early next summer.

Steve Reynolds, the owner of Four Seasons Entertainment which programs around 145 mainly independent cinemas across the country, said: “Hopefully there will be a minimum of four screens converted and we’re hoping to get them done by April or May next year.

“It’s something which we have followed closely for a while. It’s been difficult to get a site for this kind of thing so when this building became available I immediately contacted one of my clients.

“What’s important to point out is that it’s rare for a cinema complex like this to be in the town centre rather than on the outskirts as they often are these days.”

He added: “At least two screens will have 200 or 300 seats so it’s not going to be small. There is a large catchment area as well, and it will create many local jobs, so there is no reason why it shouldn’t be a success.”

Top Ten Bingo has asked not to divulge any information on the amount of money involved in the handover of the building. But the transformation is expected to cost in the region of £750,000.

Andrew Farina-Childs, a Blackwood councillor, said: “Hopefully it will generate more footfall for the town. It is something I would personally fully support because it is something that has been sadly missing from Blackwood for many years.

“It will be a fabulous addition to an already thriving town and will hopefully generate more interest long-term.”