AFTER news that pub giant Wetherspoons has scrapped plans to redevelop the State cinema into a showcase venue, the leader of Thurrock Council says the authority will not shirk its responsibility to make sure the site is maintained properly.

Thurrock Nub News broke news of Wetherspoons' change of heart last month, with the company renaged on a pledge just a couple of months earlier that it would be pressing ahead with the scheme.

Council leader Cllr Mark Coxshall, who has been at the forefront of plans to regenerate Grays town centre as authority's Cabinet member for Growth, said: "We were disappointed to learn that Wetherspoons are no longer progressing with their plans for the State Cinema building and now plan to sell it.

"We worked closely with them throughout the planning process and we are ready to work closely with the building's new owner in the hope that the doors can open again soon.

"In the meantime we will ensure proper measures to protect this listed building are taken by the owners. This will not prevent us from taking enforcement action if the building is not properly protected."