The future of Oxford’s much loved independent cinema, the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), is at great risk. Opened in 1911, it’s housed in an iconic Grade II listed building. It's one of the oldest independent cinemas in England, and the only one which is community owned, with over 1,200 shareholders. It’s defying national trends in ticket sales and is a cultural hub for people across the city and beyond. 

Even its greatest fans would say the cinema needs improvements.  So that we can be fit for the future we have to invest in better access, better sightlines, better sound quality and more efficient use of energy. We have planning permission and funders keen to support us if we can meet their requirements for a long-term lease. But our landlord, Oriel College won’t commit because our building is in the footprint of their plans for a ‘Fifth Quad’ to accommodate graduate students. 

As a treasured venue for the arts, the UPP has huge potential to enrich the college’s development while continuing to contribute to the city’s cultural life, to everyone’s benefit. There is a wonderful opportunity to co-produce the next scene of this remarkable little cinema’s story. 

Help us persuade Oriel College to extend our lease so we can stay where we belong.

The responses to this petition will be sent to the Governing Body at Oriel College, including the Provost Lord Neil Mendoza (also Chair of Historic England). We are raising the issues and the growing support for the campaign with Lord William Hague (Chancellor of the University of Oxford), Professor Irene Tracey (Vice Chancellor of the University of Oxford), Oxford MPs Annelise Dodds and Layla Moran, Councillor Susan Brown (Leader of Oxford City Council), the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP (Sec of State for Culture, Media and Sport), and Baroness Twycross (Minister for Museums, Heritage and Gambling).