THE future of a York cinema could be in doubt after city councillors moved to protect part of its historic frontage.

The decision to preserve the Blossom Street Odeon's unique rounded signs was made despite verbal threats that the cinema's bosses could close it down over the issue.

Plans were submitted by Odeon Cinemas to alter the high level signs on the 1930s-built cinema on Blossom Street, a Grade II listed building.

The plans were to replace the specially designed rounded letters - unique to York after similarly designed signs in Chester were removed - with those seen on standard Odeons elsewhere across the country.

The changes were planned as part of renovation work to the outside of the building, which also included repainting the doors and windows.

But councillors at last night's planning and transport (city centre area) sub-committee decided that the signs were too important to the city to lose. Councillor Quentin McDonald, who addressed the committee, said: "This is a key building to that particular part of York and one that I'm particularly fond of.

"You might be tempted to believe the applicant's case that it is commercially essential for them to re-brand the word Odeon in the current form - lest anyone is confused that this is some other Odeon.

"This does not seem to me to be a sensible argument."

Coun Ann Reid said: "For them (Odeon) to claim they need to change this for corporate reasons is nonsense.

"If they market themselves properly and put on films that people want to see then people will go there."

Coun Chris Hogg asked council officers if Odeon had threatened to close the building over the issue and he was told that it had.

He said: "That's ridiculous, over some lettering?"

The application was rejected because the committee said the signs were an architectural feature and integral part of the building.

Updated: 11:03 Friday, October 03, 2003