MADAM, Susan Price in her letter to the Gazette last week 'Don't forget – young people matter too' was rather unfair about the prospects for the planned cinema at the Phoenix Theatre.

Of course, ideally, it would be wonderful to have a purpose built cinema showing new releases. But it is simply not possible at this stage. For a start the distributors of new releases will normally only provide them to cities and towns with a catchment area of over 100,000. Additionally grants for new ventures, like a cinema, will only be given if there is a proven demand.

Hopefully the Screen at the Phoenix will confirm there is a strong body of filmgoers in Ross which will help longer term ambitions for a purpose built cinema when the financial background improves.

Meanwhile the Phoenix Theatre provides an ideal venue. Last week a dummy run to test the projector was extremely successful showing off the advantage of having a big screen backed by top quality vision and sound in very comfortable conditions.

Tickets will be available to everyone, on a first come first served, and at very economic prices. So younger people will have the same opportunity as anyone else to enjoy Ross' new cinema—and help choose the films they want to see.

Cllr John Edwards, Ross