Plan to revamp derelict former cinema criticised by councillor

Gosport Borough Council purchased the Criterion in 2022

A plan to revamp a dilapidated former cinema and bingo hall has been criticised by a councillor.

Gosport Borough Council bought the Criterion in 2022 and plans to turn it into a multi-use entertainment centre.

County councillor Lesley Meenaghan said she objects to the scheme because it is in "one of the most deprived areas of Gosport".

But council leader Peter Chegwin said that by buying the site the council could "determine its future".

The site on Forton Road, which is more than 100-years-old, was purchased for £600,000 two years after it closed.

Gosport Borough Council then spent an extra £20,000 on a business case study report, and now another £35,000 will be spent to appoint a consultant and continue to develop the business case.

Ms Meenaghan, who is the Conservative county councillor for the Leesland and Town ward, said among her objections to plans were a lack of parking and few restaurants near the site.

She added that her fellow Tory councillors also objected to the extra £35,000 being spent.

A a recent council survey found 73 per cent of people said they were likely or very likely to visit the proposed venue, with under-25s showing the most interest.

Mr Chegwin said the site was a "very historic building" that was "beloved to generations of Gosport movie fans", but it had been lying "derelict" for two years.

He said: "The risk was that we lose this very important part of our heritage - by buying it the council can determine its future.

"We want to create a top-quality cinema, theatre, live music and arts facility - something we've never had in my 40 years as a councillor here."