Row erupts over St Albans cinema campaign (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Row erupts over St Albans cinema campaign

12:24pm Monday 8th February 2010 in News By Alexandra Barham

A ROW has erupted between heritage campaigners and the local Labour party over a bid to see the Odeon in London Road restored to its former glory.

A leaflet distributed by Labour supporters suggesting the Alpha cinema proposed for the London site would only serve the needs of the Civic Society has riled its members.

The leaflet, delivered to homes in St Peter's ward this week, reads: "The current proposals for a single screen 'art house' cinema do not meet the needs of the city.

"They may delight the Civic Society, but will provide nothing for our young people or families who will still have to travel to Hatfield, Garston or Hemel to see the latest films."

Marion Hammant of St Albans Civic Society said: "This is plain wrong. The writer really should get his/her facts straight. The Civic Society has never campaigned for an art house cinema, rather for a cinema for all, just like The Rex, where a huge range of films is shown, catering for all ages and interests.

"We don't like seeing a political party putting out information that is wrong. we are very effronted that the Civic Society has been slurred in this way."

But the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for St Albans councillor Roma Mills told the Review she was unaware that a leaflet of this type had been distributed in the area.

She said: "I would welcome the development of the Alpha. It would be a single screen cinema, obviously while not suggesting a full range of films available, it's not the same as having a multi-plex.

"In my view it doesn't mean that we shouldn't be pressing for some form of multiplex in the city. The Rex is very successful it comes within Dacorum Borough Council but they also have Jarman Park - I don't see why we can't have both."

"I hope the money is raised. I think it would be delightful to see what is an eyesore at the bottom of London Road restored.

"But this should not replace what has been a long-term campaign and ambition to have a three or five screen cinema in the city centre as well."

Cinema entrepreneur James Hannaway, who succesfully restored the Rex cinema in Berkhamsted, has until next Monday to raise £650,000 to seal a deal with developers, Wattsdown, which currently owns the site and has planning permission for 14 flats.

If the money is not raised by next Monday, the site will go back on the market.