The opposition group claimed talks to subsidise the venture were stalled, and called for a public explanation for the latest delays.

Conservative Group Leader Graham Jones said: “The Lib Dems originally promised the electorate that a commercial cinema in Newbury would be ‘built and open’ by Christmas 2003, but a full year on not a single brick has been laid.

Mr Jones added: “They have already ignored our advice by handing over a hidden capital subsidy when the required developers’ contributions for the site were reduced from up to £750,000 to just £70,000. Now the real fear is that the Lib Dems will round off this drifting saga in the New Year by rolling over and accepting a sizeable revenue subsidy in order to save face and avoid finding themselves back at square one.”

The Liberal Democrats responded by saying the cinema was “progressing on schedule”.