AN £84,000 grant towards the development of Evesham's Regal Cinema is to be withdrawn, it was revealed this week.

Members of Wychavon District Council had approved the grant made under the Port Street Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme.

But hard on the heels of a decision to issue an enforcement notice demanding urgent repairs to the building's crumbling faade, members are now being asked to revoke the grant.

They will be told that "subject to the agreement of the HERS partners, English Heritage and Advantage West Midlands, the funds be directed to other projects in the HERS area which can be delivered within the scheme timeframe."

A report which will be presented to the executive board next week observes that the project "is now unlikely to proceed".

The deadline for starting an estimated £650,000 worth of works has twice expired.

Last week the Journal reported that members of the planning development committee had authorised officers to serve a Section 125 notice on the owner.

Officers want improvements to the entrance and exits and the removal of any unused wiring and signs from the building's exterior on Burford Road and Port Street.

They also want repairs and replacement of guttering, some of which crashed onto the footpath in October.

Under the terms of the Enforcement Notice, the council can arrange for the work to be done and then charge the cost to the owner or deduct the cost from any future sale of the building.

Council communications manager Anne-Marie Darroch said this week that the notice had not yet been served.