A NEW cinema planned for the Wellgate will be going ahead, the company behind the proposal has confirmed.
Concerns were raised last month that the turmoil caused by the announcement of the closure of BHS would potentially sink plans for the cinema to open in the shopping centre.
But today, John Sullivan, director of Light Cinemas, said he anticipated that positive news will be announced in the coming months.
He said: “Everything is cracking on nicely at the moment.
“We’re still making progress with the Dundee project, but things like this do take a while.
“We’re anticipating we’ll make an announcement in the next few months or so. It’s a complex development but I can assure you — it is coming.”
While Mr Sullivan, pictured, admitted he was sorry to see BHS go, he said it would have no impact on the cinema project as far as he was concerned.
He said: “We’re comfortable with the situation and we don’t think it’s an issue.
“It’s unfortunate that BHS is to make way but I think there will be a new use for the space.”
The cinema’s blueprint is for a 900-seat, eight-screen multiplex in the north end of the Wellgate.
The plans currently state that the leisure complex would occupy 65,000 square feet.
Light Cinemas revealed in 2014 that it was hoping for an opening date in 2017, but it is unclear if that will still be achieved.
The firm has already invested more than £100,000 in the project.
Mr Sullivan said Dundee needs a major cinema in its city centre.
He said: “It would be quite amiss for a place like Dundee not to have a city centre cinema.
“It’s unfortunate that cinemas have been developed out-of-town.
“And it’s not just in Scotland that this has happened with cinemas, but all over the UK.
“However, it’s not a project that just needs the Wellgate for it to happen — I think everyone has to want it to make it happen.
“If Dundee was to miss out, it would be a great shame for the city.”