Old Oxford film under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend rent | An inheritance

The survival of one of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas is in jeopardy as its landlord, the University of Oxford’s Oriel College, refuses to extend its lease to allow for much-needed renovations.

The Ultimate Picture Palace east Oxford opened in 1911, and has entertained generations of students and residents, including Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. It sells tickets for its 106 seats through the old box office window to customers queuing in the street, and its screen is behind a manually opened screen.

After decades of stagnation, the UPP, as it is known in the community, recently became a public enterprise when more than 1,200 people raised funds to make the film work in the Grade II listed building.

But plans to secure their long-term future have been derailed by Oriel College’s refusal to agree to an extension that would have allowed savings and renovations to take place.

UPP chief executive Micaela Tuckwell said funding was available to help improve film capacity and availability. Film production revenue has risen 25% over the past four years and remains financially stable. But the deal cannot go ahead without Oriel agreeing to extend the lease through 2037, which Tuckwell says is “very difficult”.

A spokesman for Oriel College said: “This lease was recently agreed for 2022 with a new registered group. We have no intention of changing the agreement at the outset…

The college already has several locations in the east Oxfordincluding those close to the UPP, and it is said that they are looking to expand further, showing a more “educational” practice opposed by many in the community, such as waiting for the destruction of the famous local cafe and university.

Imo, a resident of the area, said: “Every closure due to the intervention of the university leaves scars – if this continues there will be no chance for the people of the area to do things of their own free will.”

The director of Oriel, Neil Mendoza, is also chairman of Historic England, the government body responsible for environmental management and historic buildings.

A spokesman for Historic England said: “We know that cultural institutions, including cinemas, are very important to the community and can help improve our high streets and our cities. Businesses that provide cultural experiences, through art, theatre, film, music, are often attracted to historic sites because these places have a strong impact on local people.

“We want historic buildings to be used so they can continue to be an anchor for people and be loved for a long time.”

A campaign and petition Save the UPP has gathered 22,000 signatures when Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds last month raised the fate of the UPP in parliament. Dodds told the Guardian: “I have spoken to Neil Mendoza about this and he has said he wants to work with the UPP. I believe that can happen.”

In March, Mendoza and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Irene Tracey, attended a special screening of Hamnet’s “Save the UPP” which was filmed by Dame Pippa Harris, the Oscar-nominated producer of the film.

Malcolm Atkins, a 69-year-old artist, said he has been a regular at UPP since the 1970s. All my favorite movies I saw there – Touch of Zen, Celine and Julie Go Boating…

UPP is still known for some of the best programming, with foreign-language films selling more than a fifth of tickets and a similar share of premium or repeat shows. Despite the fallout from the global pandemic, UPP said its ticket sales rose 20%, with a quarter of its sales to under-25s.

Kit Finnie, UPP’s executive director, says the organization does a lot to combat alienation, with a two-year waiting list for volunteers and partnerships with local organizations such as Asylum Welcome.

Finnie says: “The communication is good and constant: coming here, you feel alone, and you have a tea or a coffee to go along with some art.