A COMMUNITY group is backing the campaign to save York's Odeon, claiming closure would have a major ecological and social impact.

York Local Agenda 21 Steering Group has calculated the amount of pollution which would be created if regular cinema-goers drove to the Vue (the former Warner Village) site at Clifton Moor, instead of going to the Odeon in Blossom Street.

It says that if just ten people made the journey once a fortnight throughout a year, an area the size of the Odeon would need to be planted with trees just to absorb the pollution created.

"Closure would have an impact on the whole city, not just cinema-goers," claimed a spokesman for the organisation, which includes representatives from the council, colleges, businesses and residents' organisations, and works to improve the quality of life in York.

He said closure would have implications for social exclusion.

"It would mean that some people who do not have the money or transport to do this travelling being unable to visit the cinema, with the result of unequal access to services and facilities.

"It will mean the loss of local jobs, the income they generate and the effect this has on York's economy. The closure will not only mean the loss of a city centre entertainment venue, but will affect the quality of life of many York residents, young and old, now and in the future."

He said that having a good quality of life was more than just having a job.

"It's about enjoying life, having a clean environment, somewhere decent to live, feeling safe, having good health and having easy access to leisure and entertainment facilities - such as the York Odeon Cinema."

He said the loss of the art-deco building would also be a great loss to York's cultural heritage.

"All in all, the loss of the Odeon is not sustainable. Everyone in the city has a responsibility to ensure that we keep this building as a cinema so everyone now and in the future can enjoy it."

The Evening Press campaign, calling for the Odeon to remain open after a sensitive refurbishment, was launched last month after the cinema's owners had revealed that they were assessing its economic viability.

Updated: 11:06 Tuesday, February 10, 2004