PLANS to flatten a 1930s cinema to make way for shops and flats have split opinion.
One campaigner has vowed to fight a developer wanting to tear down the old Odeon cinema in Winchcombe Street.
Proposals were announced on Wednesday to build 40 houses and 40 flats on the former Haines & Strange car dealership and six shops, seven flats and five town houses built where the cinema stands.
The owners of the land have stated unequivocally that there is no way to save the derelict Odeon, built in 1933.
Councillor Klara Sudbury (LD, College) started a campaign group to save the Odeon and she said she will keep fighting to stop Leckhampton Estates from tearing the building down.
"Another building that is important historically is going to be demolished to make way for a new development," she said. "Some people will think that is a good thing but I am very unhappy about it.
"Although it would be difficult to renovate it, it could be used for something else, similar to the Electric Ballroom in Camden or an art cinema.
"The whole site needs to be handled in an extremely sensitive was. It is a central location in a Regency spa town.
"If people think it could be put to better use they need to stand up."
The Odeon has been empty since closing its doors for the last time in 2006.
Cheltenham's business leaders have been keen to improve the area for some time.
Town centre manager Martin Quantock described the current scenario as a waste of space.
He said: "This is the very best thing that could happen to the Odeon, rather than just letting the land lie fallow.
"From the looks of the artist's impression, it is a really attractive scheme, but it will also bring people in to the town because of the residential as well as the retail element.
"The businesses around there will benefit accordingly."
Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce also supported the development.
A spokesman added: "Unless you can find an economically viable use for the site it will not survive and no use has been found since the time the Odeon closed its doors. "
