AN £8.5 MILLION multi-screen cinema and 'super-pub' scheme for Cwmbran town centre has fallen through - because no- one would come forward to operate it.

The town looked set to be getting a new six- screen cinema when Planning chiefs gave the green light for the project last year.

But now, after long delays, the agent acting on behalf of the developer has confirmed there will be no cinema, while a spokesman for Wetherspoons has said the company is also pulling out from the site at the former multi-storey car park between St David's Road and Glyndwr Road.

He said Wetherspoons had primarily been interested in the project because of the cinema, and said: "Cwmbran is a town we have been interested in for some time, and we are still looking for a site.

"Unfortunately, the site we were looking at has fallen by the wayside. We pulled out for commercial reasons, based on decisions by the other parties involved."

A spokesman for the agents - Boyes Rees Architects, in Newport, acting on behalf of the site's developers, K&R Properties, also from Newport, said a leisure complex combining bars and a nightclub was still on the cards, and a revised application has been submitted.

Torfaen councillor Fred Bacon, who represents upper Cwmbran, said: "I am sad about the project falling through because I think we do need something in Cwmbran for people of all ages, and it is also sad to lose so many job opportunities."

Councillor Anita Lloyd, for the Two Locks area, said: "This is going to be a disappointment all round, first of all for the loss of so many potential jobs and the facilities it was going to provide."

Last year's news that the project was up and running was welcomed by council chiefs as a major boost for Cwmbran, as the plan would have brought 80 to100 jobs.

The plan was to put the multiplex cinema on the upper floors, while the JD Wetherspoon pub, restaurant, caf bar and retail units would be on the ground and lower ground floors.

A spokesman from Boyes Rees said: "The original project fell through because no cinema operator would commit to it. We have submitted a new application for an alternative leisure complex combining a nightclub, bars and restaurants."

A spokesman for Torfaen council said: "Planning permission has been granted for an entertainment complex on the site. The developer still wants to develop the site but has been unable to find a cinema multiplex operator to move in.

"The developer is looking at other leisure uses for the site."