Oxford’s oldest cinema is under threat of closure. The Ultimate Picture Palace been running since 1911, cementing itself as the city’s definitive movie haunt.
Community-owned since 2022, the historic single-screen theatre risks closure now if the university college owning the building doesn’t extend the lease.
While Oriel College agreed a lease until 2037, the cinema’s supporters claim that the building is in need of repairs and renovations that could only be funded by investors if the cinema has a long-term lease beyond its expiry date.
But with the college having no plans of extending the lease at this point, that repair work is in jeopardy.
An online campaign hopes to gather enough support to influence Oriel College’s decision. It has 6000 signatories to date.
‘Even its greatest fans would say the cinema needs improvements,’ reads the petition, adding that the college isn’t currently committing to renovate the Ultimate Picture Palace because the building ‘is in the footprint of their plans for a “Fifth Quad” to accommodate graduate students’.
The historic art deco cinema is housed in a Grade II listed building that welcomes Oxford’s moviegoers with its distinct pillared frontage and a 1920s-style box office window.
The UPP’s high-profile supporters include 1917 director Sam Mendes and Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville.
While the future of this cinematic landmark remains uncertain, you can sign the petition to save it here.
Find out where the UPP lands on our list of the UK and Ireland’s 50 best cinemas.
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