A CINEMA which was due to close in the New Year could reopen in a former bingo hall, it has emerged.

The Robins Cinema, in Durham's North Road, is scheduled to shut on January 5, leaving the city without a mainstream film venue.

Its fate was sealed following a prolonged battle to save it, in which 2,000 people signed a petition.

At an appeal at Durham Crown Court, Regent Inns won permission to open a branch of the theme pub Walkabout on the site.

Now, it has emerged that cinema bosses are in talks with 3R Land and Property, which owns the former Palladium bingo hall, in Claypath, to convert the building into a cinema.

Richard Coxon, assistant manager of the cinema, said: "Our managing director was approached by Mr Fulton, of 3R Land and Property, who asked if he would be interested in recommissioning the Palladium as a cinema.

"Obviously, we would have to get an architect to have a proper look around, but we are hopeful that we would be able to do something with it.

"There is lots of potential."

Mr Coxon said cinema bosses were already in contact with chartered surveying firm Bradley Hall, which is handling the Palladium on behalf of 3R Land and Property.

He said the building was ideal for a cinema.

Mr Coxon said: "There would be three screens and 700 seats. All the seats are still there.

"We would probably split the downstairs and have the main screen upstairs."

While Mr Coxon acknowledged that major investment would be required, he was optimistic that money could be raised.

"We reckon it would cost £1m but the sort of turnover it would bring would make it an investment," he said.

"We would have to raise the money through banks and financial houses, but where there's a will, there's a way."

Robert Fulton, chairman of 3R Land and Property, said: "If the figures can stack up, all things are possible."

Sharon McCourt, who organised the petition to save the Robins Cinema, said: "I hope it goes ahead - it would be fantastic."