The opening of Redcar’s new Regent cinema is being further delayed after its new operator said there was not enough space to sell snacks to film-goers.
Merlin Cinemas described a “minor hiccup at the last hurdle” in respect of the £9.6m facility on the town’s seafront.
But councillors questioned why the apparent flaw in the design had not been identified earlier and the potential cost of the required alterations, while some residents were equally perturbed.
Read more: Redcar's Regent signs deal with Merlin Cinemas
Merlin said the cinema’s foyer only contained a reception desk, as opposed to a proper box office and sales counter and the changes required would delay the opening by “a week or two”.
Redcar and Cleveland Council, which commissioned the cinema as a replacement for the original Regent which closed in 2018, said minor alterations to accommodate the operator was always expected and had been budgeted for.
Councillor Billy Wells, an independent who represents the Newcomen ward on the council, said: “The front entrance area where they intend to sell the popcorn and sweets isn’t big enough, crazy isn’t it?
“So there are alterations to be done already, which doesn’t bode well.
“It’s an oversight really, but surprisingly it hasn’t been picked up before now.”
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Cllr Wells said he was concerned about the bill to the public purse and was also pressing the council for more details of its contract with Merlin.
Coatham ward Councillor Carl Quartermain said it seemed some “glaring basic mistakes were made in the design” and also questioned the cost of any changes that were required.
He said: “While you can appreciate a business wanting to make changes to suit their operation there are some concerns and some obvious questions that need to be asked of the relevant cabinet member.”
Labour’s Cllr Quartermain said the bar area at the new cinema had also been described as “tiny” and being without a cold cellar.
He said: “Why wasn’t any of this picked up at the planning and consultation stage and why did the cabinet member sign it off without a quality control audit, paying attention to these important details?”
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In a Facebook post Merlin said:“There was no space for all the modern cinema snacks that patrons now love.
“All there really was room for was one ticket terminal and maybe a few bags of confectionery.”
The company also said the reception desk was “right by the automatic doors meaning that anyone in the queue would cause the doors to keep swinging open, which would be really unpleasant for waiting patrons in the height of winter”.
It said: “So we are working with the council to relocate this area to the other end of the foyer in what otherwise would have been a manager’s office.
“It’s a better location as it’s right next to the screen entrance doors, the ground floor washrooms and the lift to the first floor.
“Merlin will supply all the equipment, we just need the council to provide the space.”
The post added: “Much of the design has been thought of with an arts cinema in mind, largely because none of the more commercial operators, such as ourselves, couldn’t have an input during the pandemic as all cinemas were closed.
“Merlin operates cinemas like the Regent all over the UK and even though some of the design of this one is a bit quirky, it’s not worrying us as we are sure we can make it work with a little help from the local authority for these small changes needed.
“We already have some very skilled and knowledgeable local managers ready to run it and welcome you to your wonderful new complex when we open it sometime toward the middle to the end of October, just in time for half term.”
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Commenting on the post, Brian Atkinson said: “Quite how anyone didn’t foresee these problems is baffling.”
Peter Hoff said: “Who planned this and why was this not picked up beforehand – an absolute joke.”
A spokesman for the council said: “The Regent will be a major asset for the whole borough and we are delighted to have an experienced, well-regarded national operator in Merlin.
“We are working closely with the operator and can confirm that we will be making alterations to the lobby.
“Making minor alterations to accommodate the operator was always expected and has been budgeted for and we are pleased that the main works came in under budget.
“We’re looking forward to the grand opening of the new Regent which we are sure will bring pleasure to residents and visitors for many years to come.”
The new cinema has three screens and can seat up to 200 people and also includes a licensed bar with spectacular sea views and an events space for the public to use.
It was paid for by funding from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and handed over to the council by BAM Construction earlier this year having initially been primed to open in the spring.
Delays in securing a new operator meant Merlin, which predominantly operates in small coastal towns, was only confirmed last month.
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