It is lights, camera, action, as building work on Falmouth’s new cinema readys itself for when the curtains first go up in early March.

The cinema housed in the old drill hall , will have five screens, with one being for private hire, alongside a bar serving food.

In a continental twist patrons will be able to enjoy a drink while watching films, if an application to allow alcohol licences for three of the screens is approved.

When the Packet visited the site last week the layout of the cinema was clearly visible with the screen rooms, bar and entrance foyer all taking shape.

Many of the features that made the drill hall such a beautiful building in its heyday have also been retained helping to keep its character alive.

The front of the building remains unchanged, mainly as the final planning permission for the outside signage designs is still to be granted.

Geoff Graves of Merlin Cinemas said: “There have been a few surprises along the way but we are looking forward to an early March opening date.”

“It has been a very long road from the initial process of gaining planning permission and winning the council to allow us to convert this historic building and give it a new lease of life.

“As we move closer to opening we are getting more excited about launching the cinema in Falmouth and look forward to it being one of most popular.”

He added that they would be aiming at the family and commercial market, as he does not want to compete with the Falmouth Poly, which he said does such a great job showing arts and independent films.

The cinema has taken six months to convert and Mr Greaves said he prides himself on use local labour and suppliers during the build.

When open the cinema will create 20 full and part time jobs in the town and while Mr Greaves said there has been a lot of interest already all the jobs will all be advertised on the company’s web site, merlincinemas.co.uk