A WAVE of scepticism on social media has greeted latest pronouncements about the future of the State Cinema, in the centre of Grays.

Owner Naveed Ahmad is reported to have told interested local parties, including Thurrock MP Jen Craft and the 'Save The State Cinema' campaign group, that his company is within a couple of weeks of submitting a planning application to Thurrock Council which will see the building brought back to life as a function centre and hotel.

In June Mr Ahmad attended a meeting at the cinema site with Mrs Craft and others, when he expressed his commitment to restoring the unique architecture and ensuring that the site is kept open to the community. 

At the meeting Mr Ahmed outlined proposed plans to reopen the building as a hotel, keeping original features like the auditorium for weddings and business functions.  

Four months on, the latest annoucement on social media is that plans will shortly be submitted, a move welcomed by the 'Save the State' campaingers, whose representative Peter Valentine took to social media to say: "The owner has stated the planning application is now ready and will be presented to Thurrock Council in about two weeks when it will be available to view at the council offices and online.

"Once the application has been approved by the council preparations can then be started for the restoration programme.

"The owner said he is sorry for the long delay but he is determined to restore the building to its former glory which will partly be a luxury hotel but the auditorium and stage will remain and be used for special events including weddings and other functions. "

The pronouncement has been greeted with much doubt and criticism and fears about the lack of detail published ahead of any planning submission.

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However, Mr Valentine has called for patience and the submission of plans, saying: "No one knows for certain yet. We just have to wait for the planning application to be made public. Everyone will then have a chance to reject it if they wish to do so."