NORFOLK-based chain Hollywood Cinemas is one of three bidders hoping to take over the management of the Ipswich Film Theatre later this year.The borough council decided to invite a commercial manager to take over the film theatre at the end of last year.

NORFOLK-based chain Hollywood Cinemas is one of three bidders hoping to take over the management of the Ipswich Film Theatre later this year.

The borough council decided to invite a commercial manager to take over the film theatre at the end of last year.

It invited bidders, and will consider who should be take over the film theatre at a meeting in February.

Borough leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry said whoever took on the role would have to run the film theatre as a specialist cinema showing films that did not always have commercial appeal.

“We have had the three bids - two from businesses which know the market very well and would be a real boost to the film theatre.

“Once an operator has been appointed they should be on board and in a position to start running the Ipswich Film Theatre from the start of the new financial year in April.”

Hollywood runs cinemas in Norwich, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth, and recently took over the former ABC in Bury St Edmunds.

It shows a mix of first-run and specialist films in cinemas that have often been surplus to requirements of major cinema chains.