New Ayr cinema bosses respond to 'speculation' over February opening as timeline laid out

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Cinema bosses say they will work round the clock to try and reopen Ayr's famous picture house next month.But chiefs at new owners Merlin Cinemas admit plans could 'slip' with extensive improvements set to take place to the exterior of the building.CEO of Merlin, Geoff Greaves, has exclusively told Ayrshire Live that works which will required scaffolding to be erected could see the opening date change.It comes after Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown announced on social media this week that the new cinema was set to open in February, sparking a frenzy amongst filmgoers in the town.But Merlin Cinemas boss, Geoff, insisted: "There’s speculation that we will be opening in February and we are endeavouring to make a February date.

But this could easily slip, given the amount of things that still have to be in place"We want to carry out some extensive improvements to the exterior of the building that could well have an impact on the chosen opening date."The update comes after we told how Merlin crews uncovered 'serious water supply issues' and were forced to carry out a major rewiring job, as part of getting the cinema ready for action again.

Now they are focusing on sprucing up the tired exterior including removing old signage.Merlin Cinemas purchased the iconic picture house from Odeon last summer - just months after it closed its doors.

The Cornwall-based chain swooped in to purchase the venue after Odeon took a decision to stop operating its Ayr cinema with the giant at the time saying it was "no longer viable." The closure sparked protest amongst filmgoers who sent out an SOS which was eventually answered by Merlin.