Cinema chief to meet MP over Odeon future

Mr Bayley says he wants to tell regional manager Ian MacDonald how strongly people are backing the Evening Press campaign to save the city's last traditional picture house.

He will tell him how many thousands of residents have signed our petition, which calls for the Odeon in Blossom Street to stay open after a sensitive refurbishment.

He will also draw his attention to an Early Day Motion in support of the Odeon, signed by many MPs at Westminster, including former Cabinet Minister Frank Dobson.

"I hope we can win recognition of how important it is in York and further afield for the cinema to stay open," said Mr Bayley.

He said he also wanted to talk about difficulties facing the cinema that could reasonably be addressed, as well as those which could not.

The meeting, which will take place in York on February 27, will also be attended by Coun Keith Orrell, City of York Council's executive member for leisure and heritage, and performing arts officer Gill Cooper.

Coun Orrell has said he believes the cinema was an important facility, particularly for young and elderly people who might have difficulties getting out to the cinema at Clifton Moor.

Our campaign was launched after the Odeon's owners revealed late last year that they were assessing the cinema's economic viability.

That announcement was made weeks after City of York Council planners had turned down a refurbishment scheme because of one element of the application: the removal of an historic sign from the side of the building.

The meeting may look at such planning issues, but it may also address potential extra difficulties that may be posed for the Odeon by council plans to introduce car park charges in the evening, and to introduce on-street parking charges in Micklegate.

Labour and Green councillors have called for the authority to consider giving special discounts to people parking to go to the Odeon.

Updated: 10:56 Monday, February 16, 2004