A POP-UP community cinema could be coming soon to Billericay library showing classic movies and hosting theme nights.

Billericaycine, a voluntary group, wants to open up the cinema as part of an initiative from Essex County Council to make better use of its public buildings.

Adam Adshead, chairman of the group, said it was now looking for funding to help make the project happen.

He said the cinema would offer an alternative to the big multiplexes that show the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

Mr Adshead, 50, from Billericay, said: “It’s all about community-orientated events and social evenings. A lot of these big multiplexes are very impersonal and take people away from the community.

“We will be showing two films a month, one for adults and another for children. We did a survey and invited people to suggest what they want to see and we received a huge response, with all sorts of films.

“People wanted the blockbusters, but also opted for classic musicals such as Grease and Les Miserables, as well as black and white classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and Casablanca.

“The survey also showed people would be more willing to spend time in the community at local businesses, such as bars and restaurants, before and after the film viewing.

“Community cinemas, like ours, have been springing up all over the country and can draw in crowds of hundreds of people.

"They have proved to be a big success.”

Emma Neppl, 35, from Billericay, publicity officer for the group, added: “We also want to hold themed evenings when people can come along in fancy dress, like perhaps a Bond movie where people come dressed to kill, and we’ll serve cocktails.”

Events will be charged at about £7 each, but price details are still being finalised.

To find out more about the campaign, visit the Facebook page at f a c e b o o k . c o m / B i l l e r i c a y CommunityCinema?_rdr