A NEW cinema could become the centrepiece of a £50million town centre regeneration...two years after council bosses were forced to scrap the scheme.

Basildon Council had to go back to the drawing board in 2014 after the Eastgate Shopping Centre revealed rival plans as part of its own revamp.

The Echo can now reveal Infrared – which bought the centre for £86.6million – has struggled to find an operator to take on the screens.

Phil Turner, leader of Basildon Council, said this means a cinema in East Square is now an “option” once again.

It comes as plans to overhaul the square with an eight-storey block of flats featuring cafes, shops and restaurants underneath were approved by cabinet members.

Mr Turner said: “Infrared have been unable to find an operator to open a cinema in the Eastgate so we will be presenting our latest proposals to cinema companies in the hope of gaining their interest again.”

“I am very excited that the plans and work on the regeneration are moving forward and this just proves the council’s promise about improving the town centre.”

Andrew Buxton, Labour councillor for St Martin’s ward, said he is frustrated the revamp, which has been five years in the making, has faced delays.

He said: “I am disappointed really and I think it’s crazy that we did not found out that Infrared were not able to find an operator for a cinema.

“It feels like its been a waste of time over these last two years because we could have almost had a cinema by now as Basildon Council were going to build one back then.”

Alan Bennett, Labour councillor for Lee Chapel, said he is concerned the authority will face the same problems as Infrared and struggle to make a profit from the regeneration.

He added: “I had no idea that the council was planning a cinema again, and this isn’t something members were consulted on.

“My concern would be why couldn’t Infrared find an operator for the Eastgate cinema and will Basildon Council be able to find one for the East Square development.

“I am not sure there would be the market in East Square for a new cinema as we have a very successful one at the Festival Leisure Park.

“Even though it sounds like there will be a lot of flats included in this development, that won’t be the hundreds of people needed to fill a cinema. I don’t think people will go to the town centre for a cinema because there isn’t much else there for them.”

The Echo contacted Infrared and Eastgate bosses for a comment but did not receive a response.