THE owners of the Opera House Casino have welcomed the support of Scarborough Civic Society for their planned £70 million family entertainment venue in the heart of the town.

Nikolas and Becky Shaw's North Street redevelopment plans which include a six-screen multiplex cinema, an 80-bedroom boutique hotel and family-themed restaurants will revitalise the town centre.

The plans have received the full backing of Scarborough Civic Society as well as a big thumbs up from some local residents, who have completed hundreds of questionnaires at the Opera House Casino since the details of the scheme were revealed in December.

Mr Shaw believes the North Street location is perfect for the development.

Ian Rowe, of Signet Planning, consultants to the North Street scheme, said the Government's planning guidance favours a town centre location for a number of reasons, including the need to support the existing shopping, service and entertainment provision and making use of brown field sites rather than relocating to out-of-town greenfield sites.

The project team believes the redevelopment of North Street car park will further contribute to the regeneration of the area and potentially attract visitors and residents within a 20-mile radius, adding significantly to the vitality of Scarborough town centre, the local residents and the long term tourist offering.

Nikolas Shaw said: "To receive the backing of Scarborough Civic Society is great news for our proposed development and indicates that the focus of facilities such as cinemas being located in town centres is in line with Government and planning policy.

"To receive such overwhelming support from local residents and the Scarborough community through their positive feedback is also extremely encouraging.

"The proposed development is good news for Scarborough and we are pleased that the scheme is attracting solid support.

"A modern multiplex cinema, a boutique hotel, high-quality family restaurants and brown field regeneration of the town centre will provide a huge economic boost to Scarborough, creating many new jobs and attracting more visitors."

The North Street Development team is in advanced talks with two national cinema operators and has been in talks with an international hotel operator interested in putting an 80-bedroom hotel within the complex. Interest has also been expressed from various national themed restaurants chains.

Anybody wishing to see details of the scheme can visit the website at www.operahousecasino.co.uk or visit the exhibition area in the reception at Opera House Casino where comment cards are available for people to officially register their views and take a look at the plans for the scheme.