BRENTWOOD residents have overwhelmingly backed the idea of a cinema being built in the town.

Initial results, published off the back of Brentwood Council’s consultation over the William Hunter Way site, showed that almost 2,500 of the 5,600 respondents wanted a cinema.

A bigger choice of shops, including the likes of Waitrose, and cheaper car parking were also high on the priority list of residents.

As of November 5, 5,593 responses had been received, and more were being counted.

Council leader Barry Aspinell hailed the consultation a success.

He said: “There have been nearly 6,000 returns and a total return rate of 18 per cent, which is brilliant. It backs up what we said, that the people of Brenwood get to have a say in what they want to see in their town.”

He added: “An awful lot of people want to see quality shops and a public area, and there was an overwhelming response for a cinema, but not necessarily in the town centre. 51 per cent said they would like it on the site, but 49 per cent didn’t mind if it was out of the town centre.

“There was a lot of call for the W word... Waitrose would be very welcome by myself too. People want high quality, so the likes of Waitrose comes into that.”

A full report will be submitted to full council later this month.