Their cinema will be part of the second phase of work planned by developers Neptune at New Brighton, which features a supermarket, health centre, bars and restaurants and a budget hotel. The council is awaiting the detailed planning application for the scheme, but it is expected construction would take 18 months.

Although Fact in Liverpool is already equipped with digital capability, and the Odeon in Liverpool One has digital, Mr Sullivan claims the Light Digital at New Brighton will be the first all-digital cinema designed for the new system.

He said the current trend for 3D films, such as My Bloody Valentine, were also helping to drive the current interest in digital projection.

He said: “It’s not like the 3D they tried in the 1970s, when if the projectionist was having a bad day and one of the projectors was slightly out, people would be sat wearing those glasses and feeling ill; this is crystal clear.”

Rob Mason, development director for Neptune Developments, said: “We believe the cinema will be an exciting addition to the entertainment scene in New Brighton, sitting alongside the new Floral Pavilion Theatre and conference centre.

“They will offer a range of activities for the Wirral with bars and restaurants for people to enjoy before they see a film at The Light and we are very pleased that our vision is becoming a reality.”

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