The Full Story

The Ultimate Picture Palace has a rich history, an important role in the story of cinema and current day audiences which are bucking national trends for ticket sales. Though we’re a single screen cinema, our programme is incredibly diverse, from blockbusters to foreign language, independent and kids’ films. 

Opened in 1911, we are one of the oldest independent cinemas in the country, and the only one which is community-owned, with over 1,200 shareholders. The cinema was brought into community-ownership in 2022 following the death of late-owner Becky Hallsmith as it was her wish to see the cinema continue to thrive as an independent and community venue. The cinema is run by a small but passionate team of staff and volunteers.

So that we can be fit for the future we have to invest in better access, better sightlines, better sound quality and more efficient use of energy. We have planning permission and funders keen to support us if we can meet their requirements for a long-term lease. Whilst we currently have 11 years left on our lease public funders require at least 20 years so the cinema is in limbo.  

Since 2023 we have been negotiating with our landlord, Oriel College, to extend our lease. Oriel is one of the colleges which make up the University of Oxford and own property and land across the city and beyond.  

Oriel is planning to develop a ‘5th Quad’ - accommodation and learning spaces for graduate students. The UPP is within the footprint of these plans. Our building is Grade II listed so it can’t be knocked down, but it can be repurposed. 

We have made a proposal to the Governing Body at Oriel for a creative collaboration, which would give special access to their students to use the building for screenings, lectures, theatre, talks and live music. Meanwhile the UPP would continue to operate as a cinema. 

Oriel are currently not willing to commit to a long term lease. We need your help to persuade them to let us stay where we belong.

FAQS

Why have you launched a campaign?

The aim of the campaign is to save the cinema by convincing our landlord – Oriel College - to give us a long-term lease so we can stay where we belong. 

We need to be able to spend money on the UPP to make sure it’s fit for the future - doing essential work like making it more accessible and energy efficient. But to make it worth their investment, funders require us to have a long lease. 

Why won’t Oriel give you a long-term lease? 

Oriel have plans to redevelop parts of this area of East Oxford in order to provide more student accomodation. The cinema building is within the footprint of those plans. 

Are Oriel planning to knock the cinema down? 

No. The building is Grade II listed and has additional protection from having been recently designated as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by the Council. Oriel could redevelop and repurpose the interior of the building if they chose to. 

At one point they suggested we could take the facade with us to a new building, but this hasn’t been mentioned for quite some time, and in any case the Grade II listing means it would not be permissible, even if it was practically do-able. 

Oriel made a number of public objections to our successful bid for ACV status, which made it clear that Oriel is considering redeveloping the UPP part of the land and buildings they own in that area. 

What have you done so far to try and persuade them to extend your lease?

We have been negotiating with Oriel for over 18 months. At times it’s felt like we’re making progress, but Oriel believes we leaked a negative story in the press about them last year, and since then things have gone cold. We did not leak the story. 

They have told us they will not extend our lease, but that this is ‘…a decision for now.’ So we’re hopeful the door is still open. 

Your lease doesn’t expire until 2037 - why do you need an extension now?

We need a long term lease in order to secure funding to make important updates to the cinema, including improvements to access, views, sound quality and more efficient energy use. Planning permission has been secured to make these changes and funders are keen to help so long as the UPP has a long-term lease, which Oriel College is not willing to provide at the moment. 

What are the key things to know about the campaign? 

The campaign will be passionate and determined, but it will also be respectful. However upset and angry we are about the situation we’re in, we have absolutely nothing to gain from being aggressive. 

The goal is to build a huge coalition of support for the UPP. Not just those who come regularly, but also those who’ve never been but love cinema or heritage buildings, and those who feel strongly about the importance of community and connection. We will embrace people and organisations across Oxford, but also way beyond, including all the way to Hollywood, where there are actors and directors with a connection to the UPP. 

The campaign will continue as long as it’s needed. 

How can I get involved? 

Please sign the petition! https://www.change.org/SavetheUPP

Some people have reported problems in signing. This is a useful page and should help you add your name: Troubleshooting signing errors - Change.org

There will be a campaign website: savetheupp.com with everything you need to know, including ways to get involved, such as signing the petition, spreading campaign materials and donating to the campaign fund. 

We’re building a Campaign Action Group, which will meet regularly to review progress and plan actions. If you’d like to be part of it, please email campaign@uppcinema.com

If you have questions or ideas, please use the email above to get in touch. There will also be a contact form on the campaign website.