A CAMPAIGN to demand action on Evesham’s derelict Regal Cinema will take to the streets this weekend.

Local residents will be asked to vote on the future of the Port Street building which has been launguishing empty for more than three years.

Although plans for a major overhaul of the building aimed at turning it into a multi-purpose entertainment centre with rooftop apartments have been passed by Wychavon District Council, Alan Redpath, who owns the building has yet to announce his intentions.

Infuriated by the delay, former London cinema projectionist Stuart Peters has launched a new website - www.evenshamcinema.co.uk - to stimulate local debate and push for something to be done to restore the art deco building to its former glory.

And to back him up, members of the recently-formed Imaginary Friend Theatre Company will be on the streets of the town centre on Saturday handing out voting slips to members of the public and urging them to visit the website to make their views known.

MP Peter Luff has described the website as “outstanding” and has urged local people to use the forums to put across their points of view.

He added: “I have been in regular contact with Wychavon District Council and the regional development agency about the Regal and it is clear to me that they are doing all they can to secure the re-opening.”

However, he said he feared the worsening economic situation would hinder any development plans because of the rooftop apartments being difficult to sell.

“The cinema is a public asset but it is in private ownership. Unless and until the private owners think they can run it economically, it is extremely difficult to see what more can be done.”

Mr Peters said that before setting up the website he had attempted a study on what it would cost to restore the site.

“However I have been informed Mr Redpath isn’t interested in the money. He doesn’t want to sell, full stop.”

Russell Hancock from Imaginary Friend, said: “We want to encourage people to use the website to let the world know how much interest there is locally on reopening the cinema.

He and his co-demonstrators will be near W H Smiths in Bridge Street between 10am and 2pm on Saturday handing out voting slips.

Attempts by the Journal to contact Mr Redpath this week were unsuccessful.