Planners have given the green light to proposals that would see a  “boutique cinema”, restaurant and cocktail bar opened in Anglesey’s county town.

Earlier this year, a planning application was submitted to renovate Llangefni’s Grade II listed county court to provide a two floor facility screening new releases as well as cinematic classics and school holiday matinees for children.

But in a change from traditional cinemas, the developers plan to “redefine the cinema experience” with seating provided in the form of two person sofas with food and drink delivered straight from the bar to the seats.

The development has now been approved by planning officers without the need to go in front of the council’s planning committee, on the proviso that it remains open only between 10am and 11pm Monday to Saturday and between the hours of 10am and 9pm on Sundays.

Other conditions include an agreement that no work will take place until a traffic management plan is agreed.

The courthouse itself was sold at auction last year after holding its last hearing in 2017, having latterly served as a civil and family court.

In their application, developers stated it would employ 10 full time and six part time staff.

“There will be virtually no change to the exterior of the building,” noted the design and access statement accompanying the application.

“At present the building is empty. The court use has discontinued and the prospects are gloomy without a new use.

“It is clearly beneficial to the future of the building and to the heritage asset to find a new sustainable and beneficial use for the building.”

Llangefni has not had its own cinema since the town’s Arcadia cinema closed down in the mid-1960s, despite the Llangefni Regeneration Group announcing an aspiration in 2017 to start showing films at Theatr Fach.

At present the only cinema within the county is based in Holyhead but according to the applicant, Jeremy Rothwell, the plan is to bring an “innovative new approach.”

“The county court building will be altered and adapted internally to provide a ’boutique style’ cinema, which would feature comfortable two person’s sofas and extra wide single person’s armchairs with food and drinks delivered straight from the bar to your seat.

“This would be redefining the cinema experience, bringing  an innovative life style approach to cinema venues.

“The venue would screen new releases, mainstream films as well as classics including weekend and school holiday kids matinees.”