PLANS to revamp Wallingford’s Regal Centre could cost up to £1.5m.

Mayor Bernard Stone says the centre, off St Martin’s Street – a former 1930s cinema used for community activities – is badly in need of repair.

The town council is now drawing up plans to refurbish the centre and two other buildings in the Bull Croft.

Mr Stone said work on the centre was long overdue but had been delayed because the council initially proposed to carry out any improvements at the same time as work on the former Waitrose store in St Martin’s Street.

But plans for the old Waitrose site stalled so work on the Regal Centre was also put back.

Mr Stone said he hoped the proposals could be part-funded by developer contributions from more than 500 homes planned for a new estate at Slade End Farm, off Wantage Road.

He added: “The Regal Centre is a very useful community facility and is used for indoor markets and sports. There hasn’t been any serious expenditure on it for years and we have reached the point where we have to seriously consider what our options are.

“Work could cost from £300,000 to £1.5m if we completely rebuild it following demolition. I’m not saying demolition is likely but it is not ruled out at this stage.”