Under-threat former cinema in Telford 'sold'

The sign appeared outside the former Clifton cinema in Wellington earlier this week, but the identity of the potential buyer is not yet known.

However, Fiona Hunter, director of The Clifton Project which is seeking to turn the building into a community arts centre, said there was still a long way to go before the future of the building would be decided.

Mrs Hunter said any sale was likely to be subject to planning approval, and no applications had so far been submitted.

The Clifton Project has been trying to raise £500,000 which would enable it to buy the building. The cinema closed in 1989 and has stood empty for three years following the departure of the Dunelm furnishings shop to Telford's Forge Retail Park.

Mrs Hunter said a number of applications for grants had been submitted. She added that a different "sold" sign had previously appeared outside the building around 18 months ago, but that sale had come to nothing.

"At the moment it's a threat, but its very early stages, and there's a lot to do," she said. "It's disappointing we have not been able to purchase it up until now, but it's possible that this may well be the boost we need to find some grant funding."

Earlier this week, playwright and film director Mike Leigh became the latest big name to pledge his support to the project. Mr Leigh contacted the group after seeing a postcard about the campaign. A share issue raised more than £32,000 for the fund, with Only Fools and Horses actor John Challis among the 600 people who bought shares.

A developer had previously expressed an interest in building houses on the site, but Mrs Hunter said any application which involved the demolition of the building was likely to be met with fierce resistance. Doug Tweedie, of agents Cushman and Wakefield , confirmed that a sold sign had been put up.