the mayor “very much wants” to see the project succeed

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The mayor of Lisieux (Calvados), Sébastien Leclerc, takes stock of the multiplex file.

Why is the multiplex file dragging on so long?

Sébastien Leclerc: We are still in discussions with the investors, the Reynaud family, on the financial arrangement of the project. The municipality did what was necessary for this file to move forward.

During the municipal campaign, I promised that we would designate the location of the future cinema within six months, after my election. The old municipality had wasted too much time with Place de la République.

We therefore chose the former Citroën garage, where the decontamination work is nearing completion. With the agglomeration, we modified the local town planning plan to change the use of this land, formerly dedicated to housing.

If the multiplex never sees the light of day, it will not be the fault of the city of Lisieux and its mayor.

“I think we will reach an agreement”

Is this a hypothesis that you do not rule out?

I say that more in a joking tone. We have good discussions with the Reynauds. I met them again last month.

Our proposals do not suit them at the moment but I think we will be able to find an agreement. We all really want to see this file come to a conclusion.

“2.5 million euros of public funds”

What is it blocking? The share of public and private money?

Yes. 2.5 million euros of public funds would have to be found, or 30% of the total amount. It’s not nothing, especially in these times.

There are still subsidies to be recovered from the Normandy Region, which is ready to help us, but also from the Department of Calvados and the State.

The National Federation of French Cinemas is closely watching the evolution of this issue (Editor’s note, its president, Richard Patry, operates, via his company Nord-Ouest Exploitation Cinémas, the Bernay multiplex with Jean-Fabrice Reynaud).

But I remind you that the Lisieux multiplex is a private project. Of course, the public authorities support the investor but we must remain within reason.

Let’s not forget that the decontamination of the old Citroën garage cost between 700,000 and 900,000 euros, at our expense.

“It would be a shame to deprive ourselves of it”

Are you optimistic about the outcome of this case?

Yes, because we have a common desire to achieve this. Within a few weeks, the project leader will be ready to submit the building permit. We can imagine the multiplex opening 20 months later.

This modern cultural facility will be a considerable asset for the city center, with 120,000 to 200,000 spectators expected per year. It would be a shame to deprive yourself of it.

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