A DEVELOPER has cast doubt on the prospect of Farnborough’s planned cinema ever being built as there will be too many in the area.

A cinema is part of the next planned phase of the £53 million redevelopment of Farnborough town centre, which developer KPI is obliged to build in its contract with Rushmoor Borough Council.

However, Toby Baines, chairman of developer Citygrove, which is contracted to build the Westgate development in Aldershot including a cinema, said the area was “overscreened”, with too many cinemas planned.

A Cineworld cinema is part of the proposed Westgate development in Aldershot, for which Citygrove is putting in a planning application on Monday.

A nine-screen Vue Cinema opened in Camberley in November, 2008 as part of the Atrium. A cinema has also been planned for the East Street development in Farnham.

But Mr Baines said he doubted Farnborough’s movie theatre would materialise.

KPI is a joint venture between developer St Modwen, which specialises in regeneration and Kuwaiti investment company Salhia Real.

KPI has a contract with the council to carry out all three phases of the town centre regeneration.

St Modwen discussed Mr Baines’s comments with the council before issuing a statement.

It said “thinking creatively” was part of the process of deciding how to bring a cinema to Farnborough.

The statement said: “St Modwen is currently exploring the best route to deliver a cinema in Farnborough town centre and has involved Rushmoor Borough Council in its latest thinking. 

“We are looking at a variety of options that are currently being tested for both feasibility and practicality, in development terms.  Good progress is being made and when these concepts have been worked up into sufficient detail to satisfy operator requirements, we expect to issue further details.

“St Modwen remains absolutely committed to Farnborough’s regeneration and we are determined to ensure our overall vision is delivered.”

Meanwhile, St Modwen has signed a deal with national retailer Shoe Zone after searching to fill the vacant stores it has built as part of the first phase of the development.

These stores were vacant when they were finished as the economic slump meant tenants did not materialise.

Shoe Zone has started fitting out its new store in the Queensmead shopping centre.

The arrival of Shoe Zone in Farnborough comes after a new Sainsbury’s and a 77-bed Travelodge, both milestones in the regeneration, opened at the end of last year.

St Modwen said the new Shoe Zone store would open later this month.

James Stockdale, development manager at St Modwen, said in a statement: “Despite the recession, national retailers continue to recognise Farnborough’s potential.

“Shoe Zone complements the mix of existing retailers well and will undoubtedly be a significant attraction for local shoppers.

“The company has been attracted by Farnborough’s retail catchment of 194,000 people and the town’s 2,400 town centre parking spaces, both great attributes for retailers looking to open new premises.”

The second phase of the town centre, which includes the cinema, will not go ahead until the vacant stores built as part of the first phase are filled.