THE Odeon chain has announced the appointment of a new chief executive - who will ultimately decide the fate of its York cinema.

Tim Schoonmaker joined the company from media group Emap Plc, and has replaced temporary chief executive Ian Pluthero, who left last month.

The move will be of major significance to the future of Odeon's Blossom Street picture house, which has been left in limbo for the last five months as bosses assess its economic viability.

The lack of progress has been a major frustration to nearly 14,000 people, who signed our petition calling for it to remain open following a sensitive refurbishment.

Mr Schoonmaker worked in general management across a number of Emap's businesses and was chief executive of Emap Performance and chairman of Emap Advertising.

He founded Emap Radio in 1991 and built the business into the UK's most profitable radio group. He also developed the group's music and television activities and spearheaded both the launch of Emap Performance and Emap Advertising.

Born in New York, Mr Schoonmaker has lived in London for more than 20 years and is a graduate of the London Business School and Dartmouth College.

"It's fantastic to join Britain's favourite group of cinemas," he said. "This is an exciting time for me to join the cinema industry, which gives many people their most powerful media experience."

Odeon expert and campaigner Derek Atkins said: "He (Mr Schoonmaker) will be at the helm of all Odeon's affairs and no doubt will have the final say in what will happen to the York Odeon.

"The cinema industry is in the throes of one of its biggest shake-ups for years. I feel Odeon will have to follow and change its whole image to keep up being the UK's number one cinema chain."

Odeon is Britain's leading cinema operator and operates 604 screens at 96 sites across the country.

Updated: 10:44 Friday, May 21, 2004