Plans for Everyman cinema in Bury St Edmunds move forward as new licence awarded
It's hoped the new venue - at the arc shopping centre - will be open by the end of the year
A cinema planned for Bury St Edmunds has gained permission to show films and sell alcohol until midnight.
An Everyman cinema at Charter Square will be able to serve customers from 8am to midnight most days.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the latest time customers can watch films or buy alcohol will extend to 1am.
The decision by West Suffolk Council today is a step forwards for the cinema, which Everyman Media hopes will be open by the end of the year.
Andrew Woods, solicitor for Everyman Media, expressed his hopes that the cinema will be a “welcome addition” to Bury St Edmunds.
In response to residents’ worries about noise, Mr Woods commented: “We have no problems with noise or customers leaving the premises whatsoever in all our other premises, partly because people are paying a higher price to come to our cinemas.”
Two representations were made in opposition when the proposed licensing times were 8am to 3am every day, complaining about “drunkenness and disorder”, noise and litter.
Cllr Tom Murray from Bury St Edmunds town council, who lives next to the proposed cinema, said: “The worry that most people have isn’t about the cinema itself – we like that and we like the jobs it will bring.
“But I am still a little bit concerned about the 1am closing time on Fridays and Saturdays, and a lot of people don’t like midnight opening on a Sunday – for which I can’t blame them.
“Apart from that, I wish you the best of luck.”
Cllr Murray said after the decision that he hopes it won’t cause any problems and reiterated his support for the cinema itself.
No representations against the proposal were made by any responsible authorities. This included the police and the environmental health team, the main bodies covering anti-social behaviour and noise.
Alongside films, the licensing hours for cover showing plays, live music, recorded music and dance. These other forms of entertainment will supplement a few events, including film Q&A sessions and corporate events.
However, representatives from the cinema company made clear that the central purpose of the venue would be to show films.
Everyman Media runs 38 cinemas and 130 screens in the UK.