Multi-screen cinema talks ‘at advanced stage’-boss

DEVELOPERS behind plans for a nine-screen multiplex cinema in Dundee have confirmed they are in “advanced discussions” with a cinema operator.

Members of Crucible Alba Group attended the West End Community Council meeting to discuss their proposals for a site at Greenmarket, behind Groucho’s music store in Nethergate.

The firm’s development director, Michael Smart, said the company wanted to build a mixed-use scheme that would also include flats, a hotel and restaurant.

Mr Smart said plans were still at a “very early stage” and that the company was preparing for next month’s public consultation, to be held at the Malmaison in Whitehall Crescent.

He said he was hoping to submit plans this summer for the site.

He added: “The plans are obviously at a very early stage, but the intentions are to submit a plan for a mixed scheme of uses.

“It will contain one or two-bedroom apartments that will comprise between 20 to 25 units, with parking.

“Subject to planning, we envisage anything between 75 to 100 spaces with a mixture of private and public parking.”

Mr Smart remained tight-lipped about which cinema operator the company had spoken to.

“We are currently in advanced discussions with a cinema operator for the site,” he said.

“We will hopefully be able to reveal that nearer the time to submitting the planning application.

“We also have restaurant operators who have declared an interest in the site.

“There will be a hotel planned for the Greenmarket side of the site as part of phase two of the project.

“If we were successful with our application, our intention would be to have a site start early next year.”

Depute Lord Provost Bill Campbell welcomed the idea of a multiplex cinema being back in the city centre.

He said: “We already have a fantastic facility in the DCA, but I would welcome a multiplex cinema back into the city centre.

“It is unusual for a city centre not to have a big cinema when you look at the likes of Aberdeen and Glasgow.”

The public consultation will take place on May 1 at the Malmaison from 3pm-7pm.