NEWPORT'S town centre Metro Cinema is set to re-open - less than three weeks after closing its doors.

The Argus revealed the Metro had closed on February 24, just 13 months after a high-profile launch.

Metro directors announced they were pulling the plug on the cinema, which boasted the largest screen in Wales, after six months of major losses.

A spokesman said not enough people used the cinema for it to operate as a business. But the premises has been bought by London-based Zoo Cinema Exhibition for an undisclosed sum, and re-opens on Friday.

The firm owns 14 cinemas and 32 screens around the UK, but the Metro signals their move into Wales.

Bosses say staff employed before the closure are welcome to re-apply for their former job.

They are also considering a new name for the cinema. Karen Seivwright was re-hired as the duty manager by the new owners. She said: "I was made redundant on the Sunday - the manager said 'as from tonight we stop trading'.

"But we had a meeting shortly after and I've been showing buyers around and getting things together. I only stopped working for a few hours.

"Some of the staff have found other jobs, but they're re-hiring on a trial basis at the moment.

"All the original staff have been offered the chance to come back and if everything works out, they will become permanent."

David Wight, director of operations for Zoo Cinema, said: "We own cinemas with their own character serving local areas, but this is our first one in Wales.

"It's a very nice building, and I came down last week and the main screen is fantastic. "We'll be addressing disabled access soon by talking to groups who can tell us the best way to improve that.

"We'd be very happy to take on all the staff that were employed before - the idea is to open on Friday so if people have experience, they're welcome."

Zoo Cinema Exhibition will also take over the Wales One World film festival, to be held at the Metro from March 20 to 23.

"It's very typical of the sort of thing we love to get involved in. "And we're also considering changing the name - we want something with local connections for the future."