Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend lease

"After decades of instability, the UPP, as it is known by locals, recently became a community-owned business when more than 1,200 supporters raised funds to keep the cinema operating in the Grade II-listed building. But plans to secure its long-term future have been dashed by Oriel College's reluctance to approve an extension that would allow further investments and renovations to take place."

"Micaela Tuckwell, the UPP's executive director, said grants were available to improve the cinema's energy efficiency and accessibility. The cinema's operating costs have increased 25% over the last four years and it remains on a financial knife-edge. But the improvements cannot go ahead without Oriel agreeing to extend the current lease past 2037, which Tuckwell says is a really big emergency."

"A spokesperson for Oriel College said: This lease was agreed recently in 2022 with a new registered society. We have no plans to amend the lease at this early stage in the tenancy. We continue to be in dialogue with the new managers about how to ensure the cinema remains open to the wider public."

The Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford, one of Britain's oldest independent cinemas established in 1911, faces an existential threat as its landlord Oriel College refuses to extend its lease beyond 2037. Recently converted to community ownership through crowdfunding by over 1,200 supporters, the cinema requires lease extension approval to access available grants for energy efficiency and accessibility improvements. Operating costs have risen 25% in four years, leaving the venue financially precarious. Executive director Micaela Tuckwell emphasizes the urgency of securing lease extension to implement vital renovations. A campaign petition has gathered 22,000 signatures. Oriel College maintains it has no plans to amend the lease at this early stage, though it continues dialogue with cinema management about keeping the venue open to the public.

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