MALTON'S Palace Cinema is set to reopen after being taken over by a new company.

Since its closure four years ago, residents have been campaigning for the cinema to be reopened and have organised petitions, pledging support.

Now, Ryedale Entertainments Ltd has been set up to run the Palace, headed by Jeremy Powell, the current joint managing director of HI-Q Broadcast Ltd which provides technical facilities for radio stations in the north of England.

Mr Powell told the Gazette & Herald that he hopes to re-open the 70-year-old Palace at the end of April or the beginning of May.

He said he believed the venture would be a success because he was putting investment into the building. "In the past it had not been marketed as a cinema although it was making money before it closed. I am sure it will be a success when it is refurbished and opens its doors again."

He said the company would be investing £40,000 in taking over and modernising the cinema. "People expect more these days from going to the cinema - a current film, efficient facilities and clean surroundings," said Mr Powell, of Strensall, who is also managing director of Ryedale Entertainments.

"The Palace will need my full attention. There's a lot to do and everyone I have spoken to has been enthusiastic about helping with the work needed to get the facilities up to spec. Various people in Ryedale District Council have helped already. The films that will be shown will be mainstream movies as soon after release as we can get them. The better the cinema is patronised, the sooner we will be able to get the new releases," he said.

Mr Powell said he also hoped to be able to offer bingo entertainment at the Palace, subject to obtaining necessary approvals. "The Fitzwilliam Estate has already agreed to a change in the lease to permit the Palace to be used for conferences and bingo. As well as enabling us to offer another form of entertainment to the community, it would give the Palace some stability with another source of income."

Mr Powell said four jobs would be created initially as part of the reopening and staff will be recruited in the next few weeks through the job centre.

Renovation work to the cinema, which will be renamed Ryedale Palace Cinema, will include installing a new and improved sound system. Mr Powell said: "The existing seats are mouldy and have to be recovered, which will be a substantial part of the refurbishment.

"The projector has to be checked out and serviced to get it back into tip top condition."

He added: "The auditorium will be redecorated and the curtains cleaned, and we are keen to restore the cinema's Art Deco styling."

Cinema lovers can track progress on the Palace Cinema through a website established by Mr Powell: www.ryedalepalace.info.MALTON'S Palace Cinema is set to reopen after being taken over by a new company.

Since its closure four years ago, residents have been campaigning for the cinema to be reopened and have organised petitions, pledging support.

Now, Ryedale Entertainments Ltd has been set up to run the Palace, headed by Jeremy Powell, the current joint managing director of HI-Q Broadcast Ltd which provides technical facilities for radio stations in the north of England.

Mr Powell told the Gazette & Herald that he hopes to re-open the 70-year-old Palace at the end of April or the beginning of May.

He said he believed the venture would be a success because he was putting investment into the building. "In the past it had not been marketed as a cinema although it was making money before it closed. I am sure it will be a success when it is refurbished and opens its doors again."

He said the company would be investing £40,000 in taking over and modernising the cinema. "People expect more these days from going to the cinema - a current film, efficient facilities and clean surroundings," said Mr Powell, of Strensall, who is also managing director of Ryedale Entertainments.

"The Palace will need my full attention. There's a lot to do and everyone I have spoken to has been enthusiastic about helping with the work needed to get the facilities up to spec. Various people in Ryedale District Council have helped already. The films that will be shown will be mainstream movies as soon after release as we can get them. The better the cinema is patronised, the sooner we will be able to get the new releases," he said.

Mr Powell said he also hoped to be able to offer bingo entertainment at the Palace, subject to obtaining necessary approvals. "The Fitzwilliam Estate has already agreed to a change in the lease to permit the Palace to be used for conferences and bingo. As well as enabling us to offer another form of entertainment to the community, it would give the Palace some stability with another source of income."

Mr Powell said four jobs would be created initially as part of the reopening and staff will be recruited in the next few weeks through the job centre.

Renovation work to the cinema, which will be renamed Ryedale Palace Cinema, will include installing a new and improved sound system. Mr Powell said: "The existing seats are mouldy and have to be recovered, which will be a substantial part of the refurbishment.

"The projector has to be checked out and serviced to get it back into tip top condition."

He added: "The auditorium will be redecorated and the curtains cleaned, and we are keen to restore the cinema's Art Deco styling."

Cinema lovers can track progress on the Palace Cinema through a website established by Mr Powell: www.ryedalepalace.info.

Updated: 10:59 Thursday, March 28, 2002