The 88-year-old closure of a famous art deco movie theater is a "shame," but there is hope that it can be transformed into something else.
After owners claimed it was "no longer viable," the Odeon theater in Weston-super-Mare has closed.
The "iconic" cinema is closing, according to Paul Batts, the chairman of the Business Improvement District.
I hope something good comes out of this," he continued.
On Sunday, those with fond memories of the theater gathered in the top foyer to commemorate its closure.
Simon Harrison-Morse, who worked at the theater in the 1990s, was one of them.
He previously admitted to BBC West that: "I look back on those early days as some of the most fun times of my life. ".
Some neighborhood organizations, according to Mr. Batts, have already expressed interest in using the structure.
"It would be nice if it could become a more exclusive cinema venue but we can also utilise the building for some community projects.
"You don't want to lose these buildings because they are so iconic, there is so much history involved. ".
A spokesperson from the cinema chain announced the "difficult decision" to close the venue in May 2022, stating that it was "no longer viable" to operate it.
Councillor Mike Bell, leader of North Somerset Council, is calling for action to ensure the future of the building.
He said: "It is really important, not just for good access to leisure and culture, but also for the key role the building plays in the town, that we find a good long-term solution for the site. ".
He said he had a meeting with Odeon, who were willing to work with him on finding a new use for the building.
"I think there is definitely still a viable future for it to reopen as a cinema, I just think it needs to be different," Mr Bell said.
