A DIGITAL cinema could be included in a town centre development in Torbay, it has been revealed.

The company behind the Torwood Street complex in Torquay dropped the idea of the cinema from its £20million scheme saying it was not 'viable'.

But a multiplex could be included in one of the four projects being lined up for a new joint development company being established by Torbay Council.

Three private sector firms are still in the running to set up the joint venture company with the council to handle development, initially at four sites — at Torquay's Terrace car park, the proposed Lymington Road business unit on the Town Hall car park and a Higher Union Street retail complex and the Victoria Centre in Paignton.

Steve Parrock, chief executive of Torbay Development Agency, said they have been through the latest stage of bidding.

He said: "We have met with them recently. The three are still enthusiastic and are producing all the right information for us to continue the procurement process.

"The final meeting will take place next month and they will be asked to submit their final proposals by the end of next month.

"We will then evaluate the returns and seek any clarification needed. The first meeting of the new TDA board will consider the bids as well as the Mayoral Vision project board and make their recommendation to cabinet as to the preferred bidder in the new year."

Some 20 projects were originally identified by the council as potential joint ventures. These have now been prioritised, into short, medium and longer term. The four projects will kick off the process.

Mr Parrock said one of the developments may include a digital cinema.

He said: "We do have an idea of where we might wish to put a multiplex cinema project in one of the joint venture company schemes, but it is premature to say which one.

"I met Riviera Estates (the Torwood Street developers) last week and they confirmed the cinema was not included in their project. We will be speaking to the cinema operators to see whether we can entice them to go into another location. We have also already spoken to two private developers working on schemes for Torquay to see whether they could incorporate it into their mixed use development in central Torquay, but not Princess Gardens.

"On one of the sites we think there is a very strong prospect they may be able to deliver the cinema."

The council is expected to approve the appointment of the new private sector partner in February or March.

Mr Parrock added: "The three bidders are realistic about where we are in the economic cycle. This is a 15-year joint venture company and we are looking well beyond the immediate economic circumstances. We could be a in a strong position for when the economy starts to turn and be able to progress quickly."