THE Alexandra Theatre Community Benefit Society is submitting revised plans for the Alex after consultation with Teignbridge Council planning officers.

In a press release they said they had taken on board heritage concerns.

A spokesperson for the society said: ‘It has been stated by TDC and consultants that the Alex isn’t viable solely as a cinema, and the indication is that Scott’s Cinemas are leaving in October when their lease runs out.

‘This will leave the town without a cinema and with an unused empty theatre.

‘To counter this potential loss the CBS is now developing a business plan to include film in their offer at the Alex.

‘The CBS has this week engaged the BFI supported Independent Cinema Office as consultants on their business plan, which has been funded by the Architectural Heritage Fund, the national organisation who are supporting the community led initiate to place the Alex at the centre of a the centre of a cultural and market quarter for Newton Abbot.

The programme for the mixed use arts centre and community hub would include comedy, music, kids shows, community events, alongside a busy film programme.

‘The resubmitted plans see the retention of the balcony, which means this can remain a dedicated film screen and the theatre space can be used for a mixed programme of comedy, music, theatre, kids and community events.

‘The CBS plans for the Alexandra Theatre demonstrate an opening to market square and how the reimagined Arts Centre and community hub could sit alongside, and in harmony with, a revamped Market Hall.

‘These plans do conflict with the current TDC plan for the ‘shipping container’ four-screen cinema, which if ever built, would tower over the ridge height of the Alex and sit just 1.5 meters away from the grade 2 listed building.

Last week a meeting of the Teignbridge Cultural Partnership backed the plans, presented by Architect Jeremy Newcombe.

After the meeting Cllr Richard Daws, Leader of the South Devon Alliance who is also a director of the CBS, said: ‘It is not hard to imagine how a mixed use arts venue could be the centre point of a vibrant and flourishing cultural and market quarter, adding to the health, happiness and well-being of the residents by providing a rich programme of entertainment and events.

'All we need now is some creative thinking and collaboration with the council. If we can get that we are confident that the will of the people can really make this project happen’.

Plans for a four screen cinema on the New Look site will go before TDC planning committee on August 22.