MORE than 50 people packed a room to discuss the future of Penarth's Pier and cinema on Monday.

The public meeting, which was held at The Pilot pub, heard a series of different options to "help" the cinema and pavilion.

Previously this month, Penarth Arts and Craft Limited (PACL), the body which runs the pavilion, announced that the building will no longer be opening on Monday through Wednesday and that the pavilion cinema will be closed for the summer season.

Cllr Rapier, who represents St Augustines Ward, organised the meeting and proposed the creation of a "community cinema".

"A community cinema would definitely help and it would show the sincerity of the community," said Cllr Rapier.

"Having a community cinema run by volunteers is definitely the way forward."

He added: "I'm open to hearing other suggestions but I do know that the current status quo is not working.

"I must stress that this view is in a personal capacity and not Penarth Town Council's."

Jeff Moore, who lives on Queen's Road, Penarth, said he welcomed the idea of a "community cinema" because it would "attract people to the pier".

He said: "I'm sure that lots of people would volunteer to man a community cinema.

"If it proves popular then people will also explore our cherished pier and make better use of it."

Other ideas for the pier and cinema were also proposed, including the need for more advertisements.

Janet Ellis said that more advertising was "crucial".

"Everytime I go to the pier it's packed," said Mrs Ellis, "so I don't understand why it's going to be closed on some days.

"If you advertise more then people from farther away will come - and PACL needs to do this."

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “The council has provided significant amounts of both financial and professional support to PACL in recent years.

“PACL operates from Penarth Pavilion which was extensively renovated in 2013 with the Vale of Glamorgan Council providing £800,000 towards the cost of this. The building is still owned by the council but is currently leased to Penarth Pier Pavilion.

“In addition to this, to help support the group in their first years of trading, a grant of £100,000 was provided by the council.

“Having supported them to such an extent the council is keen to see the organisation flourish and to continue to provide facilities that we know are greatly valued by the local community.”

PACL was asked for comment.