Cinema's full revamp ruled out due to £2.5m cost

The Abbey Cinema closure in October was extended after RAAC and asbestos were discovered in its roof

A cinema found to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) and asbestos will not be fully renovated because the town's council cannot afford the repairs.

Abbey Cinema in Abbingdon, Oxfordshire, was initially closed for a brief period at the beginning of October, but was forced to extended its closure after RAAC and asbestos were discovered.

Its owner, Abingdon Town Council, said a full renovation would cost about £2.5m which was "beyond the council's means".

The authority said the cinema's temporary rent-free stay in a former magistrates court was being extended to 28 February while the council worked to resolve its future.

A former magistrates' court is currently being used as a temporary home for the Abbey Cinema

In a statement Abingdon Town Council said the asbestos issue had been "professionally addressed" by sealing the underside of its roof.

However, it added that "extensive" work was still necessary, including roof repairs to address the RAAC and energy efficiency measures.

RAAC is a form of cheap, lightweight concrete that has a limited lifespan of about 30 years and is susceptible to structural failure.

The council said it was seeking "technical, financial and legal advice" on Abbey Hall and a meeting would take place to discuss the issue in due course.