Bristol: Bid to convert ex-cinema into flats pulled at last minute

The former art-deco cinema opened in 1912

A bid to turn a historic cinema building into flats has been pulled, days before a final decision.

Developers Landrose planned to turn the art-deco building St George's Hall, in Redfield, Bristol, into apartments, with a bar, café and small cinema.

Bristol City councillors were recommended to refuse the proposal ahead of a vote on Wednesday over a lack of parking.

Campaigners said the move was a "real opportunity" to transform the building.

Landrose has been approached by the BBC for comment.

The plans would have seen the building, which opened as a cinema in 1912, converted into 13 shared "co-living" flats with 42 bedrooms

More than 900 residents had lodged objections against the application before it was withdrawn, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Campaigners from Save Redfield Cinema previously said they want to see St George's Hall brought back into use as a community cinema.

They hope for a three-screen cinema, each having between 80 and 200 seats - eight times bigger than the one submitted in the plans.

They want it to be run by a community interest company, with a separate property developer building some homes on the site to help fund the project.

Paul Burke, who started the Save Redfield Cinema campaign, said: "Whilst we welcome investment in our vibrant Bristol suburb, we feel this news is now a real opportunity for the owner to reconsider his plans and to sell to the local community to bring forward transformational change to this historic property."

He said their plans to restore and open the cinema and food hall were "championed locally and nationally", while discussions with potential financial partners had been very encouraging.

"Let's really value buildings and businesses like these that will bring life to the local high street, and surrounding neighbourhoods and encourage development of community assets in a way that benefits everyone," he added.

Actor Stephen Merchant, who is from Hanham, near Bristol, is among supporters of the campaign to reopen the cinema.

The building is protected as an asset of community value - meaning the community receives the option to buy it if it comes up for sale.

St George's Hall opened as a cinema in 1912 before expanding 15 years later.

It shut in 1961 and became a bingo hall, followed by a Wetherspoons pub in the 1990s before that also closed in 2021, when Landrose bought the site.

It is not yet clear what will happen next.