THE GRANDDAUGHTER of the owners of Wanstead's only cinema during the Second World War has travelled from her home in Canada to revisit the historic building which meant so much to her family over half a century ago.

Sara Dimerman, who is a psychologist and author of parenting books, lives in Tonroto in Canada. She paid a visit to the Kinema building in Wanstead High Street while in London.

The building has had a high profile in the area in recent months, after a series of applications to redevelop it were met with controversy among local people and conservationists.

Mrs Dimerman, 48, who is visiting with her husband Joey, 51, and her two daughters, Chloe 11 and Talia. 18, said: “My grandparents, Mark and Phyllis Fineberg, owned it during the Second World War and ran it for many years.

“Then, when my mother was 15 they moved to South Africa, which is where I was born and grew up. But they stayed in the business and actually set up a cinema in Johannesburg.

“My grandmother ran the confectionery stand and my grandfather was the projectionist. I used to spend time there with my friends, and we used to see all the latest films, it was wonderful.

“I cried when I heard that they were thinking of redeveloping it, it means so much to my family.

“When I was last here I visited the building I had a look round with my mother, and saw where she used to spend time as a child, it was wonderful.

“I know the building is a bit dilapidated inside but surely there is some way they could restore, not for the benefit of my family of course, but for the whole town.”

This week the Guardian reported rumours were circulating that the Kinema was one of two buildings earmarked for an application for listing by Redbridge Council, but the local authority would not confirm which buildings were being considered.