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Film fans hit out at cinema deal delay
HULL Council has been accused of dragging its feet over the future of the city's only arthouse cinema, which will stage its last screening at its current home tonight.
The Friends of Hull Screen are inviting people to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the independent cinema at Lincoln University's George Street campus with wine, a buffet and the screening of Cinema Paradiso.
But, although the cinema had been expected to move to the seven-screen Reel Cinema in St Stephen's shopping centre in April or May, it has emerged the contracts have yet to be signed.
The Friends have now called on the council to clarify the situation, as the authority will provide a subsidy towards the costs of Hull Screen while it is established at the new venue.
Susan Harr, who co-founded the Friends 18 months ago, said: "The council are just not getting on with it and I wish they would tell us what is going on because we have a right to know.
"It's my understanding that the owner of Reel Cinema is getting quite anxious about it."
She added: "Audiences have been picking up and if it falls into the abyss for two or three months they will drift away again."
Jon Pywell, assistant head of culture and lifestyle at the council, said: "The signing of the contract is currently waiting for some issues to be resolved around the conditions regarding employment rights and liabilities for existing employees.
"These are still being negotiated between Reel and the council before the final agreement can be signed off.
"We would like to reassure people that the council is keen to effect the transfer, with the handover planned for approximately early May."
Hull Screen is one of the oldest film theatres in the country. It opened in 1969 and was based at Central Library until 2005.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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