A FORMER Odeon employee claims a lack of investment by the owners left the York cinema with tattered carpets held together with packing tape.

Robin Nurse, who worked at the cinema in Blossom Street from 1996 to 1998, said he believed the management team in York had always done the best they could with the money they had.

"But it always seemed they were fighting a losing battle against head office. As far as I can tell, Odeon Cinemas has never had any particular fondness for the Odeon York.

"When I worked there between 1996-98, my friends and I would laugh at the obvious inequality in spending between the Odeon York, with its old tattered carpets held together with packing tape, and the Odeon at Richmond Upon Thames, which even has a faux Roman terracotta roof as part of its Screen 1."

Mr Nurse was backing the Evening Press campaign, calling for the cinema to stay open after a sensitive refurbishment - a campaign sparked by news that the owners are assessing its economic viability.

"Odeon Cinemas need to spend some money on the place, clean it up and restore it to its former glory," he said.

"In return they will see increased takings as people come back to the cinema. As a major company in Britain, I would argue that they have a responsibility to protect part of our (and their) history. I think that the cinema is of great importance to the City of York.

"If they close the Odeon York, I for one will not be setting foot inside any Odeon multiplex again. Good luck with the campaign."

Christopher Todd, another former employee who also worked at the Odeon between 1996 and 1998, contacted the paper to register his support for the campaign.

"It was a great cinema. It was a pleasure to sit in Screen 1 and be able to take in the great architecture and atmosphere of the building, and the staff were always a joy to work with and very good with the customers."

lAre you prepared to collect signatures for our petition? Phone 01904 567132, or email mike.laycock@ycp.co.uk.

Updated: 10:08 Wednesday, January 28, 2004