In October an advertising campaign to sell the former Ritz cinema in Northampton Road was launched by property consultancy firm Intali on behalf of the building's owners Alislane.

It was marketed as a potential leisure facility but in November Alislane submitted a planning application to Harborough District Council to demolish the site and replace it with a shops and retirement flats complex, saying it had received no offers from cinema developers.

However the cinema dream appeared back on track when a 'market price' bid from Australian businessman John Sullivan to build a new five-screen cinema, retail space and homes was made just before the December 7 deadline for offers.

No decision has been made by Alislane but the planning application for the retirement flats plan is still with the district council.

Sandy Seaward, mum of 12-year-old Lucy Seaward, who with her friend Mollie Drewry started a cinema petition signed by 8,000 people, said: "This is the first time in three decades that the town can say a serious cinema group has bid the full market price and has made a commitment backed by cash.

"If you agree that the land would be better served by the cinema group then this is now the time to say something. The alternative is that the building will be demolished and used for retirement flats and retail.

"We have not spoken to one single person in the town who feels that flats would be preferable to a cinema but unless the council receives your objections then sadly we feel that this is exactly what will happen."

Alastair Campbell, who has been leading the cinema campaign, said: "If people want to see a cinema in the town they need to write to the planning department and object to the scheme otherwise it may get passed.

"The campaign has achieved so much and come so close that it would be a terrible shame for the town to lose out when there is a cinema developer who actively wants to buy the land and invest millions on the town."

To comment on the application write to: Planning department, Harborough District Council, Adam and Eve Street, LE16 7AG, quoting reference 07/01751/FUL and 07/01749/CON. Alternatively click here and here