28 March 2025
City Council saves local cinema from risk of closure
Wells City Council has acted to save the much-loved local cinema from sale and possible closure.
Somerset Council, as part of their financial strategy took a decision to sell the land which is currently occupied by the cinema as a tenant, but the City Council has now agreed to buy the land to save the sale going to the open market and risk re-development.
Mayor of Wells and Chair of the City Council, Cllr Jasmine Browne said: “The City Council are delighted to be able to support local businesses and services. This is especially important when we have been able to do so without an impact on the Council’s finances and therefore on the public pocket. We look forward to a long and successful working relationship with the cinema”
Cllr Theo Butt Philip, Somerset Councillor for Wells said: “Somerset Council needs to sell assets which, like this, are not used for delivering council services. But we know how important the cinema is to Wells, so from the outset we have been committed to ensuring the City Council had an opportunity to buy the site before it was offered for sale more widely. I am delighted that Somerset Council and Wells City Council have been able to find a mutually beneficial solution, whereby Wells City Council will purchase the freehold and safeguard the long-term future of this greatly-valued Wells institution.”
Wells City Council has ensured that the arrangements of the purchase not only secure the much-used service but also, that the value of the sale, and ongoing arrangements of the tenancy ensure little to no impact to the public purse, offering a long-term tenancy to Sally Cooper, owner of the Cinema Film Centre, and allowing her business to plan for the future.
The cinema’s owner Sally Cooper said: “I am delighted to have the support of the City Council, in securing the cinema for the people of Wells. The last few months have been difficult to navigate with the uncertainty about what may happen.”
“But, the City Council, has stepped in where Somerset wasn’t able to and we are pleased to have secured a commercial arrangement with the Council that serves us as a business and the Council”.
“We are really excited for the future of the cinema and will now be focusing on how we can improve the facilities to ensure that it remains a thriving local business for years to come”.
Wells City Council would like to understand the views of the community on this matter, and encourage local residents to complete their online survey HERE .