Buġibba’s Empire Cinema is set to be demolished and replaced by a five-storey hotel with a restaurant and supermarkt on the ground floors.

The building will also include five levels of basement garages.

The once-popular cinema in Buġibba has not opened its doors in years, although a representative of Polidano Group, the owner, told WhosWho.mt last year that a decision on whether to re-open remained pending.

The application, submitted last March by Perit Malcolm Xuereb for Carmel Polidano, known as ‘iċ-Ċaqnu’, is currently at screening stage.

At screening stage, the application is not regarded as a complete application. The Planning Authority notes that “details may be altered drastically”, and that the request may also never reach the full application stage.

The development would rise over the Empire Cinema Complex the Ex Stones Complex, and Bel Sol Court, on the corner of Bardnell Street and Ġifen Street.

The application was presented on behalf of Polidano H&L 2 Ltd, a subsidiary of Polidano Hospitality and Leisure Holdings Ltd.