Apollo Cinemas has signed a deal with Plus Shops – the Kennet Centre landlord – which should help secure tenants for the five cafés and restaurants accompanying the scheme.

The operator was also approached about backing an aborted multiplex scheme for Lower Way, Thatcham, but stayed the course after being promised a subsidy by West Berkshire Council worth up to £350,000.

Cabinet councillor for culture and leisure Mike Rodger said: "I'm delighted to be able to report that an agreement with the cinema operator has been signed.

“While appreciating the importance of the next phase, the signing with Apollo places the developer in a strong position to bring the whole deal to a swift conclusion, and plan the building of the cinema that local people have so clearly said they want."

Final details of the subsidy will be worked out next month, but West Berkshire Council has already written to the Kennet Centre saying it can hand over up to £70,000 a year of taxpayers’ cash for five years – despite massive public outrage.

It is the second operator to be lined up for the site, after the first one went bankrupt. The site received planning consent last month, subject to providing a green travel plan.