A FORMER nightclub is set to open its doors in November as Ilkley’s first commercial cinema for more than 40 years.

Work is underway at the former Il Trovatore nightclub in Leeds Road after Bradford Council officers granted permission for the 56-seat cinema The cinema is expected to be the smallest 4K resolution commercial cinema in Europe, a title held by the 68-seater Cinema dei Piccoli in Rome.

The first and second-floor development also includes a bar and lounge. The cinema is expected to host more than 30 screenings a week, seven days a week, from 1pm until 11pm or midnight.

Almost 40 people wrote to Bradford Council in support of the plans, although there were five objections, raising concerns about additional pressure on street parking, anti-social behaviour, use of the bar and general noise and disturbance in the area.

Applicant, Ilkley-based developer, John Tate, of Greenoak Land and Property, says the cinema will screen a mix of films, from mainstream and children’s films to independent British cinema.
It will also sell food, and feature two and three-seater sofas in the auditorium.
Mr Tate said: “It’ll be a facility for the town. We’re all a bit excited about it.”
He and business partner John Hewitt have offered to the turn the cinema over to the organisers of Ilkley Film Festival for three days next year, and say they would like to create links with other community groups.
They have met with Ilkley Film Society, Ilkley and District U3A, Ilkley Grammar School and other groups about their plans.
Ilkley has had no permanent commercial cinema since the Essoldo and Star cinemas closed in the late 1960s.
Bradford Council planning officers acting under delegated powers granted permission for the conversion of the building, subject to conditions. 
A travel plan promoting and encouraging the use of public transport, walking or cycling to the site, and discourage staff and customers travelling to the cinema by car, must be approved in writing by the planning authority before the cinema can come into operation.
Noise mitigation measures specified in a noise impact assessment report accompanying the planning application must also be signed off by Bradford Council planners before the cinema can open.
The building was originally built in 1890 as a Co-operative and the upper floors were used for educational and leisure purposes. The upper floors were used as a nightclub for more than two decades, until the ‘Trav’ closed in 2006.