THE final curtain is to come down on York's last traditional picture house.

The Odeon cinema in Blossom Street will close its doors to the public in late August.

The closure comes in spite of an Evening Press petition signed by more than 13,000 people, calling for the cinema to stay open after a refurbishment.

The Odeon's owners said the decision, taken "with regret", was due to increasing pressure from competition in the area, including the City Screen in Coney Street and Vue at Clifton Moor.

"The decision follows an extensive period of assessment for the cinema's economic viability, during which we made every effort to find a solution to its financial position and enable the cinema to remain open," said a spokeswoman.

"We would like to thank customers who have visited the cinema over the years." Asked what would happen now to the building, she said Odeon did not own it.

"They lease it from a property management company, whose details we don't currently have. It will be their decision what happens to the building going forward."

She said the closure would mean the loss of 23 jobs, although Odeon would endeavour to relocate as many as possible to the nearest cinemas at Harrogate, Hull and Doncaster.

York MP Hugh Bayley, who accompanied a reporter to present the Evening Press petition to cinema bosses in London in 2004, said today: "What a terrible decision. I am really disappointed and very sad. The cinema is a very important community facility."

He urged the owners to sell the building to another cinema operator, if one could be found, and called on City of York Council to prevent any attempt to demolish the "fine building".

A council spokeswoman said the Grade II Listed Building was an important building in York and one it would want to protect. "She said: The council will look to work with any new owners to find an appropriate use or uses for the building, though it's too early to say at this stage what they might be."

Cinema enthusiast Derek Atkins, pictured, of The Mount, who played a leading role in the campaign to save the Odeon, said: "It's a very sad for York. I am absolutely gutted. Since it opened on February 1, 1937, the Odeon has brought pleasure and happiness to millions of people."

He vowed to visit the cinema every week until it closes down.

Odeon timeline

November 27, 2003: Company reveals it is assessing Odeon's "economic viability"

January 15, 2004: Evening Press launches campaign to save the Odeon

January 16, 2004: Scores of readers bombard paper with messages of support

March 12, 2004: Petition signed by 13,000 people delivered to Odeon HQ, despite attempted snub

October 20, 2004: Evening Press exposes shocking neglect at cinema, including disgusting toilets and naked bulbs

March 25, 2006: The cinema's boiler breaks down leaving cinemagoers feeling like extras from Ice Age 2

March 31, 2006: Odeon announces cinema is to close

Updated: 08:34 Saturday, April 01, 2006