Talks over a new cinema for Coalville are still happening - and there is the demand for it as towns 'wake up' from the pandemic, councillors were told this week.

But it such a project will not be built within the next year.

North West Leicestershire District Council leader Richard Blunt spoke to the Full Council meeting on Tuesday and was asked by Cllr Michael Wyatt about the possibility of a cinema coming to the area.

Cllr Blunt said that confidential talks were ongoing - and if there was no interest from developers, he would make that public.

But he admitted that he could not see such a project becoming reality over the next 12 months - adding there was a chance of it happening in the future.

Cllr Blunt told the meeting: "We are in detailed conversations with people who can offer cinemas in North West Leicestershire.

"They are highly commercially sensitive, but I am optimistic that somebody will step forward with proposals.

"But until they put them to us, and it goes to Cabinet, that's the time the papers will be released and you'll know the details.

North West Leicestershire District Council leader Richard Blunt

"Unfortunately, until then, I can tell you that conversations are ongoing.

"if there were nothing happening at all, and all interested parties had walked away, I would announce that, regardless of any questions,

"But the moment, the world is waking up after Coronavirus, and activity is up again.

"Everybody tells me - that is commercial operators, not me - that there is enough demand and a catchment area in Coalville, compared to going to the nearest cinema.

"We know that cinemas drive the night-time economy.

"I'm still optimistic, but I don't control it, it's down to private individuals.

"Standing here today, I still believe we will get at least one proposal, and hopefully more.

"We'd go with a decision on the best one.

"It won't get built in the next year but the main thing is we have someone with a credible plan.

"That's the best I can do at the moment."