PROBLEMS with rotting joists in an old chapel are delaying work on Marlborough getting a cinema but people behind the scheme still believe it can be opened by April.

Image Cinemas now need listed building approval to sort out the wood problems at the the former Congregational Chapel so it can push on with its plans for the Parade Cinema.

Director Orlando Harris spoke this week of frustration of the delay but said he still expected the cinema to open in the spring.

He said: “The delay is frustrating but we want to ensure that all work is carried out to a high standard, but the extra time has enabled us to fully integrate the Manse as part of the overall Cinema and Arts Centre complex.”

Marlborough Town Council has backed the listed building application to Wiltshire Council with Cllr Nick Fogg speaking out strongly in favour of the it being agreed.

He told a meeting last week: “This is a very important project for Marlborough. The floor is in a terrible state, and the staircase is completely unstable.

“We should all support the efforts behind finding a new use for a valuable old building that would otherwise degenerate increasingly into decay.”

In July as builders moved into to start converting the chapel into a 120 seater cinema Mr Harris dared to hope it could be open by Christmas.

But as work started it was discovered the problems with the rotting joists and stairs. Under the new plans the staircase will be removed and access to the gallery will by created via the Manse.

Mr Harris and his business partners Bob Benton, Rob Hiscox and Miles Watson-Smythe have raised £1.5m to make the cinema dream possible.

Marlborough’s last cinema was in the High Street, on the site of what is now the Waitrose supermarket, which opened in 1929.