THE big screen could be returning to Altrincham after an absence of nearly 20 years.

Film goers will be stepping out to a new multiplex cinema if a scheme gets the go ahead from planning chiefs.

It is the latest in a succession of residential, leisure and store plans for the town centre.

Spean Bridge Cinemas has put in a planning application for a state of the art cinema to be built on a town centre site at Denmark Street.

The seven screen cinema would be able to seat up to 1,800 customers.

Spean Bridge has targeted the site - which is also earmarked for flats and other leisure facilities - after researching the potential of Altrincham.

Leader of the council, Cllr David Acton, says: It is well known that the attraction of a cinema to the town centre has been a priority of many Altrincham people and the council for several years.

It is early days yet but Spean Bridge is an enthusiastic company with an exciting cinema concept that could be a tremendous boost to the regeneration of the town.

The planning application has only just been received and there will need to be full consultation before the eventual decision of the planning development control committee is taken, but at this stage I hope everyone will join with me to welcome the interest being shown.

The cinema is among a host of developments earmarked for the car park area bordering Goose Green and next to the railway line. Other schemes include one for 48 flats, a health club, restaurants and bars.

Cllr Julia Chapman Barker, says: Since its introduction 18 months ago the area board has discussed several major proposals, including the Tesco superstore development and the eastern improvement route. In my view the cinema proposal is just as significant and represents a vital and as yet missing piece of the regeneration jigsaw. Members of the public have consistently called for a cinema in the town and the area board supports these calls.

She believes the cinema could be completed within 18 months.

Spean Bridge will unveil their plans at an Altrincham area board meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, September 5 at Altrincham Library.

The last cinema to operate in Altrincham, on Victoria Street, closed in the early 1980s.