CAMPAIGNERS have hit out at a pub chain over plans for a landmark cinema building.

Cinema Theatre Association bosses say plans to convert Grays’ State Cinema in a pub by Wetherspoons must not compromise the Grade II* Listed status.

Richard Gray, Chair of the CTA Casework Committee said: “Water is leaking into the interior from a roof desperate for repair and this work is the responsibility of Wetherspoon’s, who own the site.

“It’s a visual centrepiece of Grays town centre and remedial work must be begun immediately if the fabric of what is an extremely rare representative of a 1930s ‘super cinema’ is to be saved.”

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are still committed to opening a Wetherspoon pub on the site of the former State cinema in Grays.

“The company has engaged constructively with the council, planners and English Heritage, before and during the Covid pandemic and believe it is very close to resolving the points of contention.

“Once the specific points have been resolved, Wetherspoon will resubmit a revised planning application.

“Subject to planning approval, Wetherspoon will still require licensing permission.

“If planning and licensing is granted, then the company hopes to be in a position to develop the site in 2021.

“This will be a substantial project, costing up to £5 million, restoring the dilapidated Grade 2* listed building. It will be one of Wetherspoon’s largest pubs, creating around 100 jobs.”

Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, said: “The delays in the application have gone on long enough. Having brokered a meeting last year between Wetherspoons and Heritage England I was disconcerted that the reasonable requests of Wetherspoons where being denied. I feel that the changes they have proposed are more than reasonable, yes there would be a change to the exterior and some of the interior features would not be original but that is an acceptable price to pay to get this iconic building back into use.

 

“We can’t escape The State is no longer a functioning cinema and the change of use has to be embraced or it will be lost forever. It is good for the regeneration of Grays, for the economy of borough and will show that Thurrock is open for business.”

 

The applicant was given consent in 2018, but was not obliged to commence work within a specified time period. The applicant’s programme has been delayed as a result of the global pandemic and associated uncertainty in that regard. It is understood that the applicant is still keen to bring forward the scheme.

 

As the building is Grade II* Listed any alterations to the fabric of the building would need to be sympathetic and appropriate; the council is however also keen to ensure a viable and long term use of the building for the future and needs to ensure a beneficial use of the building to preserve it for future generations and the town centre.