WHY does there seem to be such a public outcry against the development of a multiplex cinema in the Milford Marina (although perhaps it emanates from a small minority, I must suggest).

The Torch Theatre, for all of the wonderful things that it provides the area with, is primarily a centre for the arts – primarily live theatre productions – with a limited sized movie theatre.

Film showings are often of short run duration, though up-to-date movies are generally on the bill of fare. However, there are many more films on general release at any one time than the Torch can possibly offer to the very many people who might wish to visit a cinema on a cold winter’s evening when just sitting in front of the “telly”

has become a boring evenings entertainment.

I can’t understand what motivates people to believe that a centre for the viewing of perhaps several different films concurrently, running for several continuous afternoons and evenings per week, can be a real threat to the Torch Theatre: how many families living in or around Milford would use the multiplex cinema..?

How many proper cinemas do we have in Pembrokeshire within reasonable reach of Milford Haven?

Would the competition curtail the attraction of the Torch cinema if the movies shown in each venue were arranged so not to clash?

The answers to those three questions must surely be hundreds, none and NO!

If one adds the question “Would the attraction of a multiplex cinema draw in families from further afield”, the answer must surely be “Yes”...many more than the Torch cinema alone could ever cater for.

The crunch question must then be “Will the Torch Theatre per se be at risk of losing the financial support it gains from grant revenues and the Milford Haven Town Council through the threat of a potential loss-making cinema facility”?

I believe from reading the opinions of other more doubtful commenters, that is the primary fear that they harbour. But why should the Torch cinema be threatened if it were to work with its competitor to ensure that there is an equitable distribution of films?

Other cinemas work in tandem in this way. As for the loss of financial grant and council support – with what only the Torch Theatre can – and does – bring to the whole of this area of west Wales, it would be a pretty tight and miserly bunch of “angels”

who would consider tightening the Torch’s purse-strings and thereby diminishing its brightly burning flame deliberately.

There is room for more centres of entertainment in Pembrokeshire most certainly, and Milford has room to provide them.

JOHN JONES

Nelson Avenue

Hakin