Revamped cinema is to reopen for 2010

​CINEMA-GOERS could be watching movies at Westgate cinema before the new year.

Despite the shock closure of the Carlton Cinema last month, the signs are good that the reels will be rolling again before Christmas.

The foyer has been redecorated and other areas smartened up in preparation for a reopening hoped to be in a week or so.

Reeltime Cinemas, which previously operated the picture house, went into administration in March, but continued to show films at the three-screen Carlton, until late November.

Now Westgate-on-Sea Investment which owns the 1910 Grade II listed building,

originally constructed as Westgate town hall but turned into a cinema in 1912, is aiming to reopen the doors as soon as possible.

The investment company has approached major film distributors and is hoping that once new accounts have been agreed, then the cinema will start screenings again.

A spokesman said: “We have definite plans to reopen, but it’s a slow process. If all goes well, we could be open for December 18.”

As well as major blockbusters, future plans include school cinema clubs and screenings for specialist audiences.