The historic and “magical” cinema could return as the council considers a potential deal

Coalville’s historic and ‘magical’ former cinema could be revitalized and screen films again. Work is underway to bring the big screen to the mining town after many years of it being a council goal.

The Rex Cinema, in Coalville’s Jackson Street, has not screened films for 40 years and was most recently a Dunelm Mill store before the town vacated. The site has since been left empty but council officials are looking to buy the site as part of their long-term city revitalization goals.

Councilor Richard Blunt, leader of North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), even believed the Rex could house the town’s new cinema. He said: “The Rex is absolutely a place we would love to own. It’s such a meaningful and magical building for Coalville and one we’d like to do a deal for.”

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A cinema has been a long-term ambition of Coun Blunt and was previously a pledge from his Conservative party in the local elections. However, it has not materialized so far, but discussions with interested parties are ongoing, according to the council leader.

A location was another key area of ​​interest for the cinema, the Rex not being owned by the NWLDC. Other sites featured in Coalville in recent years include the former market hall next to Belvoir Shopping Center and the vacant council offices in Whitwick Road. However, the offices will now be replaced with housing, eliminating this option once and for all.

Coun Blunt previously said “credible” options for a Coalville cinema were on the table. According to the head of the council, work is being done to make it a reality.

He said: “We are still working on the idea of ​​the Coalville cinema and the Rex is certainly somewhere we have on our radar. We can’t advance ourselves in cinema, but we are making progress.”

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