World May 07, 2026 · 1 min read

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 renovationThe 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 vital renovations....

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The Guardian
by Anandita Abraham
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 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.

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Anandita Abraham.

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