Abingdon: Permanent new home needed for town cinema

Abbey Cinema, situated in the town's Guildhall, was forced to close after unsafe concrete and asbestos was found in the roof but it has now been given a temporary new home by the town council.

Following the discoveries in the roof, the town council has said the cinema can operate from the neighbouring Old Magistrates' Court - but it's only a temporary solution.

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Town councillor Tom Greenaway said he and fellow councillors were now looking at all the options.

He said on Facebook: "It's definitely not the news any of us were hoping for.

"This (issue with the roof) was found during our planned inspections as we look into the future of the building, so we'll wait for more news and see what the options are."

(Image: Abingdon 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.

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The council is proposing to carry out work on the hall for a year from August 2025.

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

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

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.

(Image: Oxford Mail) "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, 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."

(Image: Andy Ffrench) 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."

The town council said on Facebook: "The town council is aware that that the Abbey Cinema is a well-used community facility and has agreed to give the Abbey Cinema rent-free use of the Old Magistrates’ Court from 4th November 2024 to 31st January 2025, and free use of the of the Roysse Room on 14th and 15th December for pantomime performances."

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

"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.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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