The wait is almost over for film-lovers in Workington, who will soon be welcoming a new town- centre cinema.

Daryl Davidson, head of operations and finance for The Ritz Cinema, said: “We haven’t got a firm opening date but it should be in the next few weeks.

“We are currently discussing with contractors now and we’re excited to have a cinema back in Workington.

“It will be amazing to have a town centre cinema and it will be a real asset to everyone.

“We are the same firm that ran The Plaza Cinema in Dunmail Park but we will own this new building and not lease it.”

Graves Ltd, the company in charge, ran The Plaza Cinema for the last 20 years but came to disagreements over the lease, announcing in April that they would not be reopening the cinema.

The location for the new cinema will be in the Wilkinsons building which also houses Opera Bingo.

Its previous Dunmail Park location was some way out of town.

Graves Ltd said The Ritz will be a different experience to its previous location, with a change in the number of screens and a different layout.

There will be no changes made to the exterior of the building but visitors will notice a whole new world when they step inside.

Managing director Nick Smith said: “We feel it would provide another valuable amenity within the town.

t is close to the leisure centre and we envisage it being used not just to see the latest film releases but also a relaxed place to meet and catch up with friends over a drink or snack.”