BARRY NORMAN VISITS NEWBURY TO BACK LIB DEM CINEMA PLAN

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th Apr 2005

Barry Norman CBE was in Newbury today to back David Rendel's efforts to bring a cinema back to the area. He joined David Rendel and Councillor Sue Farrant on the site of the new cinema.

Mr Norman is well known as a film critic, notably as the presenter of the BBC's FILM…programmes for 26 years (1972-1998) and then Sky's FILM NIGHT. He was awarded a CBE in 1998 for services to broadcasting.

David Rendel has worked hard to bring a cinema back to West Berkshire, Newbury's last cinema having closed 7 years ago. The Council has successfully secured a deal for Apollo to operate a 7-screen multiplex in Newbury. The scheme will be self-financing.

The Liberal Democrat mini-manifesto on Culture, Media and Sport commits the party to "widen access to film exhibition by supporting the work of the Film Council and reforming planning law to allow local authorities to offer greater protection to cinemas". This commitment builds on David Rendel's Cinemas (Rural Areas) Bill, introduced in Parliament in June 2004.