A story in yesterday's paper incorrectly stated that the Bermuda Land Development Company is inviting tenders to operate the old US Navy cinema at St. David's.

A prospective parliamentary candidate is calling on Government to bring the curtain down on a plan to open Bermuda's fifth cinema.

Kim Swan, the United Bermuda Party's General Election candidate for St.

George's North, has spoken out against proposals to re-open the former US Navy cinema at St. David's.

Instead, he says the theatre should be used for youth and community stage productions.

Mr. Swan, whose brother Darren is manager of the New Somers Playhouse cinema in St. George's, said developers should not allow rival businesses to open on the old Baselands site.

He added: "I know people may say I am only speaking out because my brother is manager of the cinema in St. George's.

"But this would be my position even if my brother was not involved. I speak out for the protection of small businesses.'' The Bermuda Land Development Company, which launched a 30-year plan to regenerate the old Southside Navy base, last week unveiled the proposal to reopen the cinema.

Tenders are already being invited to operate the 350-seat cinema which has stood empty since the Navy left Bermuda in 1995.

Carl Musson, the BLDC's chief executive officer, said: "We have a policy of not undermining St. George's businesses and we will do everything we can to make sure new industry complements the town, instead of standing in competition.

"Any new cinema here would obviously be in competition with the Somers Playhouse.

"But we would love the theatre to be working again. We do have to be commercially viable and opening the cinema would be one way of gaining valuable revenue.'' BASE LANDS MILITARY MIL