PLANS to build a cinema in Eltham High Street were agreed at a Greenwich Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday (November 20).

A new cinema complex and restaurant are proposed for the site of a former Co-op department store, which was bought by the council last year.

The proposal is part of a masterplan for Eltham town centre which aims to boost the high street’s economy and encourage more people into the town in the evenings.

Greenwich Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts said: “We’ve looked in detail at the proposal and are very confident that a new cinema at the heart of Eltham Town Centre will make a big difference to the town.

“It will be a great provision for local people and we know that cinemas attract people and attract spend in town centres, which can only be good news for Eltham.

“A leading cinema operator also attracts high street restaurants to an area so we really are confident that this move will give a real boost to Eltham and its residents.”

The next step is for the council to submit a planning application for the proposal.

Three other sites with regeneration masterplans in Greenwich are Charlton Riverside, Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich town centre.