MAJOR plans for a £10million redevelopment of Clacton Factory Outlet – including a sixscreen multiplex cinema – could spell the end for Clacton’s Century Cinema.

Kames Capital plans to create a multiplex cinema, three restaurants, a drive-through restaurant and a new 5,150 sq metre retail unit at the site.

The children’s play area will also be demolished to create new car parking and the underpasses will be filled in.

But Picturedrome Electric Theatre Company, which owns the Century Cinema in Pier Avenue, claims the plans will have a massive impact on the town centre and could lead to the closure of its cinema The two-screen venue only reopened in June 2013 after the former Flicks cinema went out of business in 2012.

Tim Rainbird, planning agent for Picturedrome, said: “Century Cinema has invested and committed to Clacton and has a programme of updates and improvements planned for the site over the coming years.

“The application at Clacton Factory Outlet will result in a significant adverse impact on Clacton town centre, resulting in the loss of footfall to the town centre and ultimately the closure of a key leisure facility.”

Kames’ planning agent, Peter Gwilliam, said the new plans are on a smaller scale than the 1,100-seat cinema previously approved by the council in 2011.

He said: “There may be some draw of trade away from the Century Cinema.

"However investment has been made in the facility and it will continue to offer a town centre walk-to attraction and probably continue to be attractive to the visitors."

“There is sufficient capacity for a multiplex cinema at the Clacton Factory Outlet and the town centre Century Cinema.”

A decision on the plans, which have been recommended for approval by planning officers, will be made by Tendring Council’s planning committee tonight.