FILM fans in Bolton can look forward to a brighter future following the purchase of the Cannon on Bradshawgate by ABC Cinemas.

The Bradshawgate cinema is one of 90 traditional high street cinemas sold by Virgin to reborn company ABC.

The company is now one of the biggest cinema owners in the country.

Reported to be worth about £70 million, the deal was announced 10 years to the day after Thorn EMI sold ABC to Cannon, which then became Britain's biggest cinema owner.

ABC is to be re-established under a banner stating: "the professionals are back".

The re-formed company also has plans to build about 17 multiplex cinemas throughout the country over the next three or four years.

Paul McCarthy, manager and licensee at Bolton's only town centre cinema, said: "ABC disappeared 10 years ago but no doubt people will remember the name.

"I am quite pleased with the new deal because the people who have taken over know what they are doing cinema-wise.

"The industry is a strange beast and although individual cinemas can do a lot for paying customers, they are reliant on the quality of films produced.

"The films will be the same but we are having a bit of an identity crisis at the moment.

"Confusingly, we have Cannon on the front of the cinema, ABC signs on the doors, Virgin cola cups and MGM, who trade as Cannon, on the paybox door!"

ABC stands for the Association of British Cinemas and Paul pointed out that the new company has been funded entirely by British investors.

He added: "Whatever happens in the future, Bolton people will be the winners."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.