Developers who hope to transform the former Regent Bingo Hall into a luxury cinema, restaurant, cafe and living space, have confirmed they hope to submit an application before the end of the year.

Joint owner James Wallace said the process has been delayed because of discussions with the district council about the car park at the rear of the building.

He has also pledged to repaint the outside of the Regent in the spring after continued complaints about the run-down appearance in a prime location on our seafront.

He was prompted into action after district councillor Pam Hawkins repeatedly pressed the council about the progress.

She said she wants the building to be brought back into public use as soon as possible and had asked the council to serve a section 215 notice on the owners to make them improve its appearance outside.

Despite the promise to repaint it in the spring, Cllr Hawkins “remains sceptical” because every time she urges the council to act, promises are made but not fulfilled.

“Local residents have been patient for long enough and want to see signs the promises made to return the building to its former use as a cinema are going to happen soon” - Cllr Pam Hawkins

The use of the car park, accessed via South Street, is integral to the latest plans.

Owners Mr Wallace and Mark Digweed need to take ownership of the car park so they can extend the rear of the Regent building.

This is where screen one, which will seat 120 people, will be located, along with an outside loading bay and parking.

Mr Wallace said: “The design team are working towards submitting a full planning application this year pending negotiations for the car park in order the make the development a success.

“We concur with local residents the front of the premises is in need of a spruce up, and as such have scheduled the front to be repainted in the spring which is not practical at the moment being the time of year and the process involved to accomplish this.

“In hindsight we would have completed such works this year, however we had no idea it would take this long to progress the business plan, funding and design.”

Cllr Hawkins said: “Local residents have been patient for long enough and want to see signs the promises made to return the building to its former use as a cinema are going to happen soon.”

It is understood an application has been lodged to list the building as an Asset of Community Value.

The Regent was a cinema in the Secind World War and was last used as a bingo hall. It closed in January 2009.

Cllr Hawkins still plans to question the council at its next meeting on Wednesday, November 25.