I READ with interest the piece about the future use of the Odeon building (Picture This, May 22). It is good that people are already thinking about what will happen after the cinema's closure at the end of August.

However, although the spirited campaign to save the York Odeon's future failed, I would point out that, as a leading campaigner myself, not only I but also cinema societies and other cinema organisations are still working hard behind the scenes trying to find an independent operator willing to take on the Blossom Street cinema.

I believe now is the time for the Odeon to be rejuvenated back to life. Other cinemas have been saved at the last minute.

Independent intervention from dedicated people prepared to patiently refurbish stage by stage, whilst a cinema continues to operate, could tackle the Blossom Street cinema.

If only some who signed The Press petition, the Council, and the building's owners, Norwich Union, could come together, it could still be possible to save the cinema from closure.

The Odeon has entertained the people of York and the city's visitors for 69 years. Perhaps the cinema would be able to celebrate its 70th birthday in February, 2007?

Let us first try and see if a cinema could survive there, before thinking about alternative uses for the Blossom Street site.

Derek Atkins,

Mount Vale, York.

Updated: 09:32 Thursday, May 25, 2006