CINEMA owners have received a major lift in their bid to make The Rex in Wilmslow accessible to all film fans.

Work is taking place by Louis and Sophie Mundin to reopen the landmark building in the town centre as soon as possible.

The reopened Rex will feature two screens and a disability access lift, which has received a major boost from Wilmslow Town Council.

Councillors voted unanimously to award the cinema a grant of £21,000 towards the cost of installing the lift.

The amount requested by the Mundin family is about half the cost of installing a lift, and a third of the total costs the family anticipates spending on providing access and further facilities for disabled people.

Council vice-chairman Cllr Angela McPake said: “We are often asked what Wilmslow Town Council is doing about the increase in empty shop units and the resulting impact this has on the vitality of the town centre.

“The council is unable to impact landlord rents or business rates, often cited as major contributing factors in the increase in vacant units.

“What the council can do is recognise that when an opportunity arises, which has the overwhelming support of the public and the ability to act as a catalyst to enhance existing businesses and encourage new, it takes action to considers what support is appropriate.

“Feedback through the Wilmslow Neighbourhood Plan was not only that the people of Wilmslow want a cinema in the town centre but also that the use of the Rex Building to deliver such a project was vital in putting the heart back into the town centre, and in using this iconic building for the purpose it was intended.

“The town council recognises the age and design of the building makes access improvements difficult and costly, but felt it was critical such an exciting development for the town must be accessible to all sections of the community.

“In providing this grant it is noted the largest proportion of the access costs will be funded by the Mundin family, who are also committed to providing audio and visual aids.

“I am delighted to hear the public are embracing the Rex by taking out membership packages well in advance of the opening, and am as excited as anyone to hear the date when the Rex will reopen.”

The Rex is recruiting for staff, with the deadline for applications Sunday, October 28. For more details see the Rex Cinema Wilmslow Facebook page.

Louis said: “We are looking for an enthusiastic and confident team to help us make the Rex great again.

“If you are interested in joining us for a part time job please write and tell us a little about yourself.”

Email your application to info@rexcinemawilmslow.com, or post to Louis and Sophie Mundin, The Rex Cinema, 23 Alderley Road, Wilmslow. The minimum age for applications is 16.