Ex-cinema recognised as a community value asset
A HISTORIC cinema in Gosport could return after being recognised as an asset of community value.
Gosport Borough Council haslistedtheformerCriterion cinema on Forton Road in its register of Assets of Community Value (ACV).
The Criterion Cinema and Theatre opened on May 8 1912 beforebeingtakenoverbythe
ShipmanandKingcinemacircuit in the 1960s.
The venue then became a Crown Bingo hall in 1968 before finally closing its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic.
Councillor Julie Westerby nominated the building on behalf of the Gosport Liberal Democrats.
She said: ‘The death of cinema has been greatly exaggerated!Acrossallsortsandsizes of communities, studies have shown that audiences were found to love and value the shared screen experience.
‘This facility will engage with people in our community – a film society or live event bringsthemtogetherasacommunity to share the magic of cinema or another cultural event.
‘What would be exciting is taking the building into its next phase and doing somethingambitiousandnewwith it and providing an important hub for the area.
‘If the building had events on most days and nights of the week, it would not only provide a centre for the local area to congregate in the day and evenings, but also bring people to the area.’
Terry Rhodes, chair of the Gosport Heritage Open Days added:‘Foroveracenturythis buildinghasservedthepeople of Gosport by offering muchneeded low-cost entertainment, social interaction and lots of fun and laughter.
‘Now, without a major cinema in the town, Gosport is poorly served in cultural activities.
‘We certainly support The Criterionbuildinggainingthe status of an ACV. After all, being of community value has beenitssolepurposeformore than a 100 years.’
An ACV is a building or piece of land that has been used to further the social well-being or social interests ofthelocalcommunityincluding cultural, recreational and sporting interests.
Once registered, the ACV will remain on the list for five years.
If the owner wishes to sell theassetduringthattimethey must contact the council.