Alistair backs town on Regal (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Alistair backs town on Regal

EVESHAM'S most famous son, TV comedian Alistair McGowan, is backing the Town Council's campaign to see the Grade II listed Regal Cinema restored to its former glory.

The star hopes his profile will add weight to the campaign but has revealed his disappointment that the only announcement made at the annual town council meeting this week was that of a section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 served on the building.

"I expected the announcement to be a lot more than that," Alistair said following the meeting. "I fear the owner is just waiting for the building to fall down so he won't have to do anything to it."

The section 215 means that the owner is required to carry out necessary redecoration to doors, windows and the frontage, recover loose wiring and sort out the guttering on the property.

The owner will have eight weeks after Monday, May 22 to make the changes. If the section is ignored the District Council will have a number of options including carrying out repairs and then recovering the costs to the owner or prosecution through the magistrates' court.

Alistair visited the town on Monday to meet with Evesham Town Mayor Jo Sandalls and give his support in person. "The Regal should be the town's jewel in the crown," he said.

"There was magic about the place at one time. There were two great cinemas at one stage and we also used to have live music at the town hall, there was always something going on; nowadays there seems to be nothing."

Alistair voiced his concerns following the meeting held at the town hall on Monday where members of the community were invited to have their say on issues affecting the town, the Regal Cinema formed a major part of the discussions.

"I had my childhood years here and when I was younger we would go out to watch a film at the Regal," Alistair added. "I used to take my old girlfriends there, it was part of a night out. I have seen the tremendous work done to improve the park. Evesham has great heritage and the Regal Cinema is part of it."

Martin Jennings, leader of Wychavon District Council, said: "One of the major problems is that unfortunately it is a listed building which puts an impediment on anyone investing money in it.

"I think Alistair's involvement is a great step forward in the right direction. But I have my doubts as to whether he would have as much success as he had at Pershore Number 8."