Our Talks with Oriel College: An Important Update
Talks with Oriel College have reached another impasse. We’re stepping up our campaign for the UPP’s long-term future — and there are several ways you can help.
We wish we could bring you better news. Negotiations with our landlord, Oriel College, have stalled yet again.
The fact is, to remain commercially viable, the UPP needs to modernise. Funders want to support the cinema, but because it has such a short lease they are unable to do so. It is in the gift of our landlord, Oriel College, to extend our lease but they’re not open to that at the moment, because of their own - perfectly legitimate - commercial interests in our building.
For two years the UPP team has been in private discussions with College Management to try and reach an agreement. We have put forward detailed proposals for a long term academic and cultural partnership with the College, which would allow the cinema to continue to operate in the place which was built for it, while also providing a unique new space for College activities.
There has been no substantive engagement with any of these proposals.
Sadly, the management of Oriel College have confirmed that they are disinterested in such a long term partnership, and see the cinema business as just another commercial tenant, like a shop on the High Street.
So what are the next steps?
We have written to all 46 of Oriel’s Fellows, asking them to intervene, and are also approaching alumni. If you have any staff or alumni contacts at Oriel, please let them know what’s going on and ask if they’d like a meeting with the UPP team. We’ve written a template letter which you can tailor. Though we’re in a very difficult situation, please help us by continuing to be respectful and constructive in tone.
Template Letter for UPP Supporters with Oriel Contacts
DownloadWe have met again with our MP Anneliese Dodds, and together we’re planning some further action in parliament.
Finally, we’ve put ourselves forward for Cinema of the Year, and we need your votes! Voting is another way for you to stand up for the UPP, and winning would strengthen our case that this is a cinema we just can’t afford to lose. VOTE NOW! | CINEMA OF THE YEAR · BIFA · British Independent Film Awards
