I STOOD on the pavement at the junction of Paignton's Torbay Road and Esplanade Road looking at the big, white, handsome Apollo building that dominates the prom.

It wasn't difficult to recall what it had replaced when it appeared in 1999. And the 10th anniversary is something to celebrate.

And I hadn't been sorry to see the Festival Theatre demolished to accommodate it. I hated that bleak example of 1960s box architecture almost as much as I loathed the building that occupies the site of Dellers Cafe.

Before the Festival Theatre appeared my grandparents would have enjoyed the ornamental gardens and the pond on the site. The bandstand was created in 1920. This was sacrificed to the summer pavilion that was removed to make way for the theatre.

It kicked off with a performance of the Black and White Minstrels on June 10, 1967, and went on to attract a lot of showbiz stars. After its demise the Apollo Multiplex and Flagship pub became a success that hasn't faltered.

Standing there, at the bottom of Torbay Road, I was joined by a couple of old female locals.

"I bliddy hate it," one said. "Give me the Festival Theatre every time."

Yeah, well, when you're a certain age change of any sort may be difficult to swallow. But I didn't share her prejudices.

"Bring back Donkey Daniels and his mokes," her friend said. "And us woan ferget Granny Symonds."

A lot of locals knew Granny Symonds as Mother Bundles. She was an old girl who prowled around with one bizarre hat stuck on top of another. They formed a wonky pillar, about four feet tall, on her head.

Anyway, the Apollo Cinema Multiplex, with its nine screens, four licensed auditoriums, soft drinks kiosk and bar; and the Flagship Pub with its sun roof beer garden, comfortable dining facilities and children's Fun House, and the tourist information office next door to the cinema's reception area, are a New Millennium success.

From January to December 2000 more than 300,000 customers came through the cinema doors. Among them were my daughter and granddaughter, Belle. The nine screens offer modern movie classics as well as the Saturday and Sunday kids' show.

I often pop in The Flagship next door. The pub is a separate concern from the cinemas, and is owned by a different company. It's run by general managers Paul and Mandy Kindon.

The bar and eating areas dovetail comfortably to create a traditional inn atmosphere, with friendly service. And the Fun House, in its quarters on the right of the main entrance, is very popular with young children.

"While their mums relax," Paul told me, "the kids get on with it, burning up excess energy."

Well, it's good to know the cinemas' multiplex and pub are doing well. And I hope the recession steers clear of The Apollo where the Flagship, Fun House and cinemas have a definite rapport.

The building, and what it represents, has brought a lot of life to the seafront all year round. It's a popular tourist attraction as well as something that brings in the locals.

Strolling past the multiplex I paused on the prom to take in the Bay views and enjoy a breath of sea air, hoping the dolphins would make a close-to-shore appearance.