A COMMUNITY cinema at Royston town hall has moved a step closer following a positive structural survey of the building. Cllr Bob Smith told a meeting of Royston Town Council s planning committee held on Monday night: The structural survey has generally

A COMMUNITY cinema at Royston town hall has moved a step closer following a "positive" structural survey of the building.

Cllr Bob Smith told a meeting of Royston Town Council's planning committee held on Monday night: "The structural survey has generally given us good news, and established that the first floor has sufficient strength to host a cinema.

"However it did reveal some structural defects - some minor and some not so minor - which will need to be addressed.

"It's looking positive, and now we can get detailed drawings and costings for the disabled access and lift which will be needed," he said.

The cinema project was first revealed last year, and would be a joint venture between the town council and the Royston First Business Improvement District (BID) company, with the town council readying the town hall to host the facility, and Royston First purchasing the necessary equipment and running the cinema itself.

A survey carried out by the town council last year revealed that residents of Royston were keen to see a community cinema, akin to Saffron Screen in Saffron Walden, established at the town hall site.

Speaking on behalf of Royston First, town centre manager Geraint Burnell said: "We are pleased the town council has taken on the challenge we gave them last year.

"From their good work it is apparent that people want a cinema in the town hall, and that the building is a suitable one."

If the project goes ahead, it is expected to be up and running by 2012.