CONCERNS about a former car showroom off Liphook Square that was expected to re-open as a 60-seat cinema about now are unfounded, say the team behind the project.

The old Anchor Garage car showroom and workshop have been untouched after initial demolition works were completed before lockdown, and now it is starting to look like an eyesore say some residents.

But Kate Hearle, of Tiger Hill developers from Stedham and Castle Cary in Somerset, said: “We hope work will re-start on the cinema in the autumn, then the two houses will follow, and it is hoped the cinema will open by next summer.”

The car showroom and workshops have been empty since October 2015, but last year Tiger Hill gained permission to demolish the workshops, build two town houses and turn the showroom into a cinema.

The ambitious plan was revealed in February last year, when it was hoped The Living Room Cinema would open this summer.

The idea was the brainchild of Claire Beswick of Bramshott, whose 16-year career in the industry saw her named as one of the ‘Top 50 women in Global Cinema’ in 2018.

Claire says she is determined the cinema, with a lounge style foyer cafe, will open – but in June admitted progress on it hadn’t gone smoothly.

She said: “The past few months have been quite the roller coaster ride and currently life as we know it has changed for us all.

“This pause for breath means that we will have plans in place to safely guarantee the well-being of our customers when the time comes.”

Liphook district councillor Bill Mouland said: “I, along with a lot of other people, look forward to it opening.”