Cinema 'no longer at risk' of permanent closure

A former cinema that shut its doors more than two years ago is "no longer at risk of permanent closure".

The Grade II listed Abbeydale Picture House in Sheffield has been removed from the Theatre Trust's risk register, which currently features 39 UK venues.

Trust chief executive Joshua McTaggart said a venue being removed from the risk register "doesn't mean that it's completely out of the woods".

A spokesperson for the the picture house, said: "We're committed to finding the right way forward for Abbeydale Picture House and look forward to sharing further updates once we have some meaningful progress to report."

The risk register, which currently also includes the Grand Theatre in Doncaster, highlights "culturally significant" theatres at risk of closure, redevelopment or severe decay, but which have potential to be revived with the right support.

Since its launch in 2006, the trust said more than 80 theatres had been restored.

It said Abbeydale Picture House was removed from its risk register after it was bought by independent brewery and hospitality operator True North Brew Co which has plans to transform it into a "premier entertainment venue".

The venue opened in 1920 and was Sheffield's largest cinema at the time, with capacity for 1,560 people.

McTaggart said the trust worked with owners, operators and the local authority to ensure venues which were "really important to their local community" were "not lost forever".

He said a theatre may end up on the register because of the "challenging financial climate".

"We're seeing that perfect storm of perhaps declining income, increasing costs and lack of long-term investment," he said.

McTaggart said the register brought public attention to spaces that were at risk and charted a path for venues moving forward.

He said while the trust was celebrating Abbeydale Picture House coming off the register for "really positive reasons" it "doesn't mean it's completely out of the woods".

He said the trust would continue to support the new owner to build on the work already done.

McTaggart said the trust had also supported Doncaster Grand Theatre and work had begun on its structure, frontage and roof.

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