I also disagree but I think it has to be a cinema screen (Gala Bingo on Clayton street is becoming a music venue filling that option) There is a market for more cinema. the Gate is horrible. The reason people flocked there from Warners is that Warners was even worse - especialy if you don't drive (like most of biggest cinema audience - kids). It just takes a bit of imagination on the part of management - something multinationals can't be bothered with.

As far as the suggestion that most people would want a shopping development there, I think more shopping mall type things is the last thing the city centre needs.

Call me naive but I think the sucess of City centre housing as well as the Sage, the Baltic, the Tyneside (currently looking to expand) and i suppose the Gate (although I can't stand it) shows that if we provide quality central public spaces then people enjoy leaving their homes to gather socially. I think this is a healthy echo of why the Paramount existed in the first place and we are all richer for it.

Mat (www.sidecinema.com)