Film lovers’ hopes of a historic cinema reopening in Wolverton have been dashed.
A community group had hoped to transform the former Barber's Electric Picture Palace on Stratford Road into an independent cinema but in a twist in the project’s storyline the church that owns the building have decided not to sell it.
The New Electric Picture Palace committee, which was within days of submitting a bid for £900,000 to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) after two years of hard work, said it still hopes to open a cinema in another building.
Ursula White, project director, said: “We are obviously disappointed but we had always factored in to our planning the risk that we wouldn’t be able to buy the building for whatever reason.
“We’ve regrouped, reviewed our options and discovered that not only does ‘every cloud have a silver lining’ but we seem to have discovered a whole heap of silver linings.” She said many key organisations, including local councils and the Projected Picture Trust based at Bletchley Park, have queued up to express their continued support for the project, which aims to improve access to film and film culture inMilton Keynes.
Four possible alternative locations in Wolverton are now being considered.
Mrs White added: “The research and development work that has already been done on creating an independent cinema run by the community for the community will prove to be a great asset in moving the project forward, wherever we set up our silver screen.“ “The project has built a firm foundation and the building was only one aspect of it.” The former Barber's Electric Picture Palace on Stratford Road, which opened in 1911 and closed fifty years ago, is the only vintage cinema left in Buckinghamshire.
A spokesman from Faith Dimensions Ministries, which occupies the building, confirmed that it has taken it off the market as the church will not be moving, but did not wish to comment further.
Cllr Vanessa McPake, Milton Keynes Council cabinet member for culture said: “It is a disappointment that the original picture palace building is now not available for purchase.
“However, the community has really got behind this project, proving that a success can come of it, wherever its final location.” The project group, which is backed by regeneration organisation Wolverton Un Limited, plans to look into the feasibility of alternative locations before putting together a new bid to the HLF.
It is also continuing with its work to establish ICMK (Independent Cinema Milton Keynes) as a charity and limited company to forward the aims of the cinema project and encourage the creative and media industries in the city.
Vagabond Cinema, the touring cinema side of the project, will also continue with its spring programme of screenings in a wide range of community venues across the city.