Talks to save Abingdon cinema focus on high repair costs

The Abbey Cinema in Abbey Hall risks closure on June 30 if a new lease cannot be agreed.

A meeting was held last Wednesday (May 24) between Abingdon Town Council and owners Sue and Ian Wiper.

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Around 80 members of the public came out in support of the cinema and the council reported that there was unanimous support among councillors for the business.

The cinema is located in a building from the 1960s and questions over refurbishment costs remain.

Councillor Jim Halliday said: “Despite the Council spending over £400,000 in 2018 on the Guildhall complex prior to the Cinema opening, the Hall is in need of further major refurbishment – its energy efficiency rating is, at best, rated as a category “E”, which means it needs urgent repairs to fulfil its obligations as a public building.

“It has little insulation, it has problems with its roof (which need fixing), and it has leaky windows.

“Rectifying these issues will cost a very large sum money, far in excess of the £36,000 annual rental paid under the current lease.

“Discussing who is responsible for what and the precise costing of these works, further explains why the proposals about possible “Heads of Terms” have been going back and forth.

“However, and all other councillors totally agree with me on this, these discussions have been going on far too long… Abingdon wants and deserves a cinema… and we will do everything we can to achieve this.”

Ms Wiper has accused the council on not delivering on its promise save the cinema.

She said: “The Abbey Cinema is now in crisis.

“The cinema employs numerous local people and provides work experience opportunities for John Mason School and Abingdon & Witney College as well as supporting numerous community groups and charities.

“Abingdon Town Council is legally obligated in the lease to use its best endeavours to extend the lease.

“Despite expressing support for the cinema and its intention to do so however, three successive councils have failed to deliver on its commitment and have provided only successive short lease extensions which do not enable us to make the necessary financial investment to improve the accessibility, appearance and utility of the building for community use and neighbours.”

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Mr Halliday added: As I have written in emails to many local residents, I am a passionate believer that there should be a cinema in Abingdon – many years ago I campaigned with my late wife, Jeanette, for a multiplex to be built in the Town.

“So we were both thrilled when the Regal Cinema of Evesham decided to establish a cinema in the Unicorn Theatre and then subsequently in the Abbey Hall.

I have spoken to past and newly-elected Town Councillors and, like myself, all want to see a cinema presence continue in Abingdon.

“Indeed, councillors have been distressed by some personal accusations that they want to close the cinema – indeed one correspondent even suggested that individual councillors would personally gain financially if the Cinema were to shut! This is NOT the case!”