Ilkley could be set to get its very own star attraction - a cinema in the centre of town.

The idea of building a movie house at Station Plaza, on Station Road, was first raised at a meeting of the town's Tourist Management Committee.

And now Hypo Properties, the company which manages the plaza, has said it would consider a cinema for the complex's empty units.

Ilkley once boasted two cinemas - The Grove Cinema which closed in 1967 and the Essoldo, on Railway

Road, which was demolished in 1969 after a slump in

popularity.

But Frazer Irwin, who came up with the suggestion for a new cinema, thinks a trip to the flicks is exactly what people in Ilkley want.

He said: "Cinema is making a comeback. Last year there were 14-and-a-half billion cinema tickets sold throughout the UK.

"When it was half its current size Ilkley had two cinemas. Burley had one as well."

Mr Irwin, of Queens Road, said he rarely went to the cinema because of the cost and distance.

He believes having a cinema in the centre of town would be ideal for those who can't drive to out-of-town

multiplexes.

"To me it's a money spinner. It's something that would really take off. It would also mean people coming into Ilkley on the train and bus don't see all those empty units," he said.

And, according to parish councillor Kate Brown, many people in Ilkley would welcome a cinema.

"When the town design statement questionnaire was done quite a few people had put cinema down as something they'd like to see in Ilkley. It's obviously something that is on people's minds," she said.

"I think it's something that would have to be investigated. To put the investment in, people would have to be sure of a return."

Coun Brown said the parish council would welcome comments from residents on the idea.

"It hasn't come up in council yet. But if the owners of the property are sympathetic to it, it could be something that we could investigate further."

James Tolan, of Hypo Properties, said: "We are happy to consider suitable retail and leisure uses for the vacant accommodation at Station Plaza."