Abingdon's Abbey Cinema is shutting for a fortnight so that contractors can complete a roof survey.

The cinema is run from the Abbey Hall, part of the Guildhall, and will shut tomorrow until October 15 while the work takes place.

This month the council has been consulting residents on its plans for Abbey Hall.

READ MORE: Future of town's cinema hall will be discussed 

It is proposing to carry out work on the hall for a year from August 2025, which will mean the Abbey Cinema has to find a new home.

The council has apologised for the inconvenience the fortnight closure will cause the town's residents.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) The town council said: "The council needs to conduct a survey of the Abbey Hall roof.

"The Abbey Cinema will be closed from Wednesday October 2 to Tuesday, October 15 inclusive.

"The council greatly regrets any inconvenience that this closure will cause Abingdon residents."

The Abbey Hall where the cinema is based is owned by Abingdon Town Council, although there are restrictions on its use under an agreement with the Vale of White Horse District Council.

READ MORE: Late night entertainment could return to former nightclub site

The main impact of the Abbey Hall closure will be the loss of the cinema - unless another home in the town can be found for it.

For a short time before the Abbey Cinema opened at the Guildhall, films were shown at the Unicorn Theatre nearby.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) Ian and Sue Wiper opened the Abbey Cinema at the Guildhall in 2018 following initial screenings at the theatre.

In October last year a two-year lease was signed, but it is not known what the cinema owners plan to do once they can no longer use Abbey Hall.

Town council leader Jim Halliday said at the time that he was a "passionate believer that there should be a cinema in Abingdon".

Students were at the cinema today to see a screening of Othello.

Beetlejuice and The Critic were scheduled for tomorrow and Thursday.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

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