Last-ditch move to stop sale of cinema car park
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for a car park adjacent to an historic cinema in Sutton Coldfield to be saved.
The Empire cinema is set to be refurbished using money from the sale of its car park. The Grade-II listed building will undergo a major revamp, including sofa seating in every screen and better access throughout the building.
But the refurbishment comes at a cost for film fans who like to arrive by car, as a 43-apartment retirement complex is planned for the cinema’s car park. Developer McCarthy Stone says the proceeds from the sale of the car park – estimated at around £200,000 – will be spent on the cinema’s revamp. An Empire spokeswoman said: “Once this development is approved and funding
secured, we will bring forward plans to refurbish the cinema.
“This means, therefore, that unfortunately the cinema will not be reopening for at least another nine months.” But campaigners say
the car park is vital for the cinema’s future, on top of its plentiful public transport links.
Tony Whitehead, from Sutton Coldfield, said: “I’ve been living here for 25 years.
“The cinema means many things. It’s one of the finest Art Deco-style buildings in the country.
“It was threatened 20 years ago, when the whole site was developed. I pulled a few strings and helped to get it saved then.
“More importantly, it’s a community hub. I know it’s a business, being owned by Empire, and they’ve got to make money – we understand that.
“But it has huge community significance.”
As the cinema is close to Sutton Coldfield town centre, the council says there is “no requirement” for a dedicated car park, also given the “availability of public transport links and the wider policy objectives set out within both the Birmingham Development Plan and Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Masterplan”.
“The loss of the car park is accordingly considered acceptable in principle,” it added.
Conservative Councillor David Barrie said: “The plans represented the best way of bringing in investment to secure the future of the cinema.
“Thankfully there is a considerable amount of parking in the immediate vicinity.
“I certainly feel strongly about retaining the buildings here in use as cinema - they are of national importance and listed, so they do have some protection.”
I know it’s a business, and they’ve got to make money – we understand that. But it has huge community significance Tony Whitehead