CONTROVERSIAL proposals to hand over Ipswich Film Theatre to a Norfolk-based cinema chain have been given the final go ahead.Ipswich council decided Hollywood Cinemas would be given the contract for the film theatre, currently based in the Corn Exchange.

CONTROVERSIAL proposals to hand over Ipswich Film Theatre to a Norfolk-based cinema chain have been given the final go ahead.

Ipswich council decided Hollywood Cinemas would be given the contract for the film theatre, currently based in the Corn Exchange.

Earlier this year it invited operators to place bids to run the two-screen cinema on its behalf and it is understood two parties expressed an interest in taking it over.

Although one operator was believed to have landed the contract Labour councillors were concerned the decision had been made “behind closed doors” by the Tory-led administration.

But last night the decision was debated and upheld by the borough council's overview and scrutiny Committee.