CINEMA operator Odeon may pull out of its development plan in Trowbridge if a rival bid gets the go-ahead, it has been suggested.

Town traders met a representative from Legal and General, which owns the former Tesco site in St Step-hen’s Place which would be transformed in a cinema complex and hotel, last Friday to discuss the plans.

Asked if it would continue with the plans if a rival bid by Prorsus to develop a Cineworld cinema and Morrisons supermarket on the former Bowyers site won approval first, Tim Russell, a senior asset manager for Legal and General, said: “Yes, we would want to continue if their plans are developed, but the question is, is that what the cinema operator would want to do? Possibly not. They are very much aware of that.”

Mr Russell also said Legal and General had no interest in taking over the adjacent multi-storey car park, which provides free car parking for visitors to Trowbridge.

Its £75,000-a-year running costs are currently paid for by Wiltshire Council, which, it is claimed, wants to get rid of it in a bid to save money.

Fellow developer Prorsus has claimed its bid to build a cinema is guaranteed, whether or not the town gets an Odeon.

Its site, the former Bowyers factory, would be known as Innox Riverside.

Angus Horner, managing director of Prorsus, said: “Cineworld is contractually committed to open a 1,400-seat, eight-screen cinema when Innox Riverside gets planning consent.

“Cineworld has made this commitment to the scheme, regardless of what others may be doing elsewhere.

“When Innox Riverside is granted planning consent, the people of Trowbridge and the surrounding area are guaranteed to have a fantastic new Cineworld multiplex that offers the best in cinema, yet has the lowest average ticket price.

“The scheme also offers around 500 new car parking spaces and, thanks largely to the Morrisons, will provide 400 much-needed jobs for local people.” Stephen Wiener, the chief executive of Cineworld, said: “For over 10 years I have been trying to open a Cineworld cinema in Trowbridge and finally, with Innox Riverside, we’ve got a great site, which we are really excited about.”

A planning application has already been submitted to Wiltshire Council for Innox Riverside. The St Stephen’s Place scheme’s bid is expected to be sent in the next two weeks.

Tino Polledri, the chairman of the Trowbridge County Town Initiative, which organised the meeting with traders, said: “The traders were delighted to hear about the proposals.

“This leisure development will add significantly to the quality of the town centre and help attract more people to Trowbridge.”

Jonathan Knee, of Knees department store, said: “I am very impressed by the project.

“We have been promised a cinema a number of times, but this proposal seems to offer real hope that one will finally be delivered.”