Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend lease
The Ultimate Picture Palace opened in 1911 and is housed in a Grade II-listed building in need of renovation
TL;DR
- The Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), a historic independent cinema in Oxford, is at risk of closure.
- Its landlord, Oriel College, refuses to extend the lease beyond 2037, preventing necessary renovations.
- The UPP recently became community-owned, raising funds to keep it operating in its Grade II-listed building.
- Executive director Micaela Tuckwell highlights available grants for energy efficiency and accessibility improvements that are being blocked.
- Oriel College states it has no plans to amend the recently agreed lease and is in dialogue with the cinema's managers.
- The situation reflects wider concerns about 'studentification' in east Oxford.
- A campaign to save the UPP has garnered 22,000 signatures, and the issue has been raised in parliament.
- The UPP is noted for its artistic programming, successful ticket sales (up 20% post-pandemic), and community engagement, including combating social isolation.