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Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend lease
The Ultimate Picture Palace opened in 1911 and is housed in a Grade II-listed building in need of renovation The survival of one of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas is under threat while its landlord, the University of Oxford’s Oriel College, refuses to extend its lease to allow what its director says are vital renovations. The Ultimate Picture Palace in east Oxford opened in 1911, and has entertained generations of students and residents, including the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. It sells tickets for its 106 seats through an old-fashioned box office window to patrons queueing on the street, and its screen is behind a manually opened curtain. Continue reading...
Source brief
The Ultimate Picture Palace opened in 1911 and is housed in a Grade II-listed building in need of renovation The survival of one of the UK’s oldest independent cinemas is under threat while its landlord, the University of Oxford’s Oriel College, refuses to extend its lease to allow what its director says are vital renovations. The Ultimate Picture Palace in east Oxford opened in 1911, and has entertained generations of students and residents, including the Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes. It sells tickets for its 106 seats through an old-fashioned box office window to patrons queueing on the street, and its screen is behind a manually opened curtain. Continue reading…
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This is a source-linked brief from The Guardian. Read the original item at Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend lease.
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- Published by source: 2026-05-07T17:54:22+00:00
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- Historic Oxford cinema under threat as Oriel College refuses to extend leaseThe Guardian - 2026-05-07T17:54:22+00:00
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