Community-owned Oban Phoenix cinema backed by Dame Judi Dench put up for sale

A community-owned cinema once supported by actress Dame Judi Dench has been put up for sale after closing its doors in May.

Oban Phoenix Cinema in Argyll and Bute announced it would be shutting down in May citing “a massive decline in footfall alongside a rise in costs”.

The picture house was built in the 1950s, previously closed in 2010 but after funds were raised it reopened a few years later as a community-owned business and local charity.

The building, which has two screens, is on the market for offers over £275,000 and was the town’s only cinema.

Oban Phoenix Cinema has permanently closed it's doors just 12 years after a huge fund-raising to reopen it's doors as an independent, community owned cinema. — Oban Phoenix Cinema has permanently closed it’s doors just 12 years after a huge fund-raising to reopen it’s doors as an independent, community owned cinema. Supplied

James Bond actress Dame Judi supported a fundraiser in 2011 to save the venue which has 148 seats in one screen and 22 in another.

Equipment for the cinema said to be worth £24,000 is also available, said selling agents DM Hall.

A spokesperson for the Oban Phoenix Cinema in June said: “It is with the deepest regret that we have had to close the doors of Oban Phoenix Cinema.

“We have tried to maintain the cinema for the benefit of the community however we have been struggling with a massive decline in footfall alongside a rise in costs over the last few years.

“Unfortunately, numbers have declined even further during the last few months, and it is with great sadness that we have had to close the cinema as it had become insolvent.

“We would like to thank our current dedicated staff and all the community that have supported us with their patronage since 2012.”