LEISURE chiefs at City of York Council are to seek a meeting with cinema bosses to discuss the future of the city's Odeon.

Councillor Keith Orrell, executive member for leisure and heritage, said he and senior officers would try to discover from Odeon management why the picture house in Blossom Street is in danger of closure.

His comments came after a supporter of the Evening Press's campaign to Save the York Odeon made an impassioned plea for councillors to take action.

Gary Haq, of Wolsley Street, emailed city council members to say closure would affect the quality of life of many York residents, young and old.

"Its loss would mean more people having to drive out of the city centre, creating more pollution and traffic congestion," he said, adding that some people would be excluded from access to an entertainment venue. He said he believed that a "do-nothing" and "wait-and-see" policy by the council was not an option, because it would be gambling on the future of York's residents.

"I believe a cross-party committee should be set up to enter into dialogue with the Odeon company to prevent its closure. This is the only way to resolve this issue.

"Just as those individuals in the past fought to save the city walls and other historical buildings in York, we need to do the same today to save the Odeon."

A planning application by Odeon to refurbish the cinema was refused permission by the council last autumn, because it included the removal of an historic sign from the side of the building.

The company later revealed it was assessing the cinema's economic viability.

Coun Orrell said he believed the cinema was an important facility, particularly for young and elderly people who might have difficulties getting out to the city's other commercial cinema at Clifton Moor. He believed it was best to try to negotiate when such a facility might be lost, but stressed that the company might refuse to meet with the council.

The Evening Press petition, calling for the Odeon to stay open after a sensitive refurbishment, should now be available for signing at many newsagents. Petition forms have been sent to shops across the city which sell the Press, with shopkeepers asked to put them on their counters.

An Odeon spokeswoman said the company could not comment until it had received the letter requesting a meeting.

Updated: 10:59 Thursday, February 12, 2004