DELAYS in a major Rhyl cinema revamp mean the screens will not be ready for Harry Potter.
Work on the Rhyl Apollo is lagging two to three weeks behind, which means that the complex will be unable to show the major summer blockbuster, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two, which premieres in London next week.
A report by Denbighshire council said: “The program is currently two weeks behind schedule but the contractor will make every endeavour to claw back this time as the project progresses.”
About £500,000 has already been spent on the £2million revamp, which will see the introduction of 3D technology, a remodelling of the plaza outside including an outdoor auditorium, the introduction of new shops, an extension of the bar and a total revamp of the entrance.
Joan Butterfield, Rhyl councillor, said: “We were expecting that all of this would be open for Harry Potter, but it looks like they will miss the premier, which is a bit sad.
They (Apollo Cinemas) have been tremendously supportive of Rhyl, sponsoring a lot of things during Rhyl Week. They have invested a lot of money in the business which can only be of benefit to Rhyl, as people will come to the cinema and look around the town, which will increase footfall.”
Cllr Butterfield said she sympathised with the directors, as delays could happen in any build.
She said: “I hope everything goes well for them in August and hope they do get it running for the next blockbuster.”
Mike Espley, Rhyl town councillor, said he was “disappointed” at the news. He said: “Any developments in West Rhyl at the moment are much needed.”
A spokeswoman from Apollo Cinemas said the Rhyl complex was on course to open on August 1, in time for the opening weekend of Steven Spielberg and JJ Abrams’ blockbuster Super 8.
She said: “It is not currently scheduled to be open for the launch weekend of the final instalment of Harry Potter, but it will be showing this film for local audiences upon the location’s reopening.”