Historic Oxford Cinema Faces Closure Due to Lease Renewal Issues
Cinema lovers may face the loss of one of the oldest independent cinemas in the UK due to lease renewal problems.
Ultimate Picture Palace in eastern Oxford, opened in 1911, remains a beloved cultural hub for many generations of locals and students.
With a capacity of just 106 seats, it retains a cozy and nostalgic atmosphere: the curtain in front of the screen is opened manually, and tickets are sold at an old-fashioned box office. Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes has also visited UPP.
However, the future of the cinema is in question: its landlord, Oriel College of Oxford University, is unwilling to extend the lease on the building, which is listed as a Grade II heritage site, necessary for vital renovations.
Although UPP is currently owned by the local community, its long-term future depends on whether Oriel College agrees to extend the lease after 2037.
This would allow the cinema to carry out essential repairs and access grants to improve accessibility and energy efficiency. Over the past four years, its operating costs have risen by 25%, and financial difficulties persist.
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“This lease was recently agreed upon in 2022 with a new registered society. At such an early stage of the lease, we do not plan to make changes to the agreement… We continue to dialogue with the new management on how to ensure the cinema operates for the wider public,” said a representative of Oriel College, as reported by The Guardian.
Oriel College also owns several other properties in eastern Oxford and has expansion plans.
This highlights the growing trend of “studentification,” which is leaving locals with fewer independent “third places,” and many popular and historic spots are under threat.
In March, a petition and campaign to protect UPP was launched, gathering 22,000 signatures.
