TEIGNMOUTH residents are to be asked for ideas for the future of the town's 'forgotten' cinema, which has been mothballed for a decade.

Few have seen the interior of the historic Riviera 500-seater auditorium and stage since it closed, but now everyone is invited to take a peek during an open weekend during the spring bank holiday.

Businessman Ralph Brown, who inherited the cinema when he bought the whole building, admits he is in a dilemma over what to do with it, and believes its future could be as a multi-purpose centre.

'I want to hear suggestions for future use from all sections of the community – local people, organisations and business people.

'I do not need it for my business and could keep it closed for ever. But I think that would be morally wrong because it is such a superb facility, and I would love to see it being used again. It shouldn't sit here lying empty.

'It could be a cinema, a theatre, a conference arena, an entertainment and arts complex – or a combination of all those things.

'In the right hands this would be a magnificent l From page 1

attraction for Teignmouth, and with digital technology, it could become a cinema again for a reasonable sum.

'I have been approached by a national pub chain who had an interest in taking it on, but I would prefer it to be a leisure facility of some kind.

'I have a completely open mind on the matter, which is why I want as many as possible to come along and see what Teignmouth has got – youngsters and newcomers to the town probably don't realise how good it is – and give us their ideas and suggestions.'

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