A cinema forced to close after unsafe concrete and asbestos was found in the roof has been given a temporary new home.

Abbey Cinema is run from the Abbey Hall, part of the Guildhall in Abingdon, run by the town council.

The cinema was asked by the council to close for two weeks at the beginning of last month so that checks could be made to the Abbey Hall roof, in advance of a scheme to revamp the Guildhall.

READ MORE: Unsafe concrete could keep cinema closed

The council is proposing to carry out work on the hall for a year from August 2025, which will mean the Abbey Cinema has to find a new home.

Now RAAC (reinforced aerated autoclave concrete) and low grade asbestos has been found in the roof, which could extend the work schedule.

Scaffolding is now occupying the cinema space, and cinema owner Sue Wiper has been told the business can relocate to a new space inside the Guildhall on a temporary basis.

(Image: Oxford Mail) She posted a statement which said: "The Abbey Cinema’s future has been threatened by the council’s discovery of RAAC and asbestos in the roof, forcing closure, pending full investigation and remedial work.

"In recognition of the scale of business interruption, the council offered the Abbey Cinema the option to relocate screenings of upcoming films such as Paddington in Peru, launching Friday, into the Old Magistrates' Court, just down the steps from the cinema foyer.

"The Abbey Cinema foyer and bar remain open and entry is via the Abbey Cinema as usual.

"The cinema has installed a new projector, audio, screen, and new seats in the Old Magistrates' Court, at considerable expense, in recognition of which the council will not charge room hire.

"This relocation provides an immediate solution for its 11,000 local members and others who enjoy having a cinema in the town but does not mitigate losses incurred by the cinema."

Ms Wiper added: "The good news is that we are working with the council to help it to fix the problem and in any event, we have no intention of leaving Abingdon."

One film fan said: "I travel from Warwickshire to visit the Abbey Cinema.

(Image: Oxford Mail) "Abingdon is my home town and where I got married. So glad you are opening back up. I hope to visit soon."

Ian and Sue Wiper opened the cinema at The Guildhall in 2018 after some initial screenings at the Unicorn Theatre and it has been a popular attraction ever since.

The Abbey Cinema has been showing box office hits, combined with some independent films.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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