BURNHAM’S Ritz Cinema is hoping to add an extra third screen as part of £150,000 expansion plans.

The popular two-screen cinema in Victoria Street is celebrating its tenth anniversary this month after opening on September 17, 2004.

The small cinema has since become a thriving operation with thousands visiting each week, with many live links to theatre shows and operas all sell outs.

Pat Scott, who runs the cinema with his wife, Beryl, said his plans for a third screen had yet to go through the planning procedure but he was hopeful that it would proceed some time in the next few months.

“It would have 65 seats and include a £50,000 new projector. He added: “We would make use of an old room at the back of the building for the new screen.

“It would help us when we have a popular film as, with Mrs Brown’s Boys, we had packed houses every night but we had to stop showing it to make way for newer film.

“However with a new screen we could keep popular films running.”

The Ritz building has been used as a cinema since 1936 when it had more than 500 seats however due to dwindling numbers it was forced to close in 2002.

The top floor has since been revived as the cinema, with the bottom floor now a social club, with two screens containing 115 seats each.

The cinema's original art deco fitting and decoration has also been restored, complete with new seating and computerised booking system.

Pat added: “Back in history many cinemas had almost 1,000 seats and would have had stalls and balconies.

“It’s great we’ve managed to keep the tradition of the cinema alive in Burnham and we would like to thanks all our loyal customers for their support.”

There will be a celebratory showing of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the cinema on October 27 for special guests with a donation made to the Christmas Lights Fund.

A buffet will be held at the social club afterwards.