URL: https://ashford.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=277

Decision Maker: Chief Executive

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Picturehouse informed the Council in early 2024 they were looking to walk away from their lease. The Council believe investing in the town centre is the right thing to do, and by retaining the cinema this means Picturehouse employees will continue to have a job, Elwick Place will still have a key anchor tenant/offer and Ashford residents can still enjoy the cinema in the town centre. If there were no tenant in these premises the Council would lose rental income and business rates, additionally it would be extremely difficult to get another operator to come in to take over an empty cinema.

Content:

Date of Decision: February 5, 2024