BUILDERS have moved into the former Congregational Chapel on Marlborough to convert it into a 120-seat cinema.

And the man behind the project hopes it will be ready by Christmas.

Orlando Harris, the Marlborough man behind the project, said: “It would be great if was ready but realistically it should be open in the new year.”

The one-time antiques dealer said he was looking for a project when he saw the chapel up for sale.

“I decided to take a punt on it and buy it,” he said, “then with three business partners we raised £1.5 million to transform the building. I also bought the house next door.”

The house in The Manse will be part of the new Parade Cinema, featuring a cafe and bar which Mr Harris says will offer food and drink.

“Cinema has had to contend with radio, television, video and online movies,” he said, “but it just reinvents itself.

“Now it is about an experience, so good food, a drink which you can take in and themed nights, so it is more than just a screening.”

Once open, the cinema will feature blockbusters, classics and family films along with satellite screenings of opera and theatre direct from places like Covent Garden.

His partners are Bob Benton from Oare who heard about the plan and thought it was a great idea, his friend Rob Hiscox from Marlborough and Miles Watson-Smythe, the only one of the four who does not live locally, who lives near Henley.

“It’s a business enterprise,” said Mr Harris, “but it will benefit the people of Marlborough as they will be the patrons.”

The cinema, cafe and bar will also bring jobs to the town. Marlborough’s last cinema was in the High Street, on the site of what is now the Waitrose supermarket, which opened in 1929 and closed in 1943. Since then films have been shown occasionally in the town hall.