Extra funding agreed to replace Oxford cinema with hotel

City council cabinet members voted at a meeting on Wednesday to approve the additional sum of budget money for the regeneration of the Odeon cinema in George Street.

This comes after the council approved a £37million scheme in July last year which would turn the top five building floors into hotel apartments with en-suite kitchens.

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Alarm was expressed. (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

Finance chief Ed turner said it was important the council had the option to spend extra money in order for "maximum benefits" to be fully explored.

But cabinet member Chewe Munkonge said: "I was alarmed we are asking for the additional capital."

He later clarified that on reading the report he recognised it came from a desire to "get more out of the building".

Mr Turner added: "This will hopefully ease some pressure off Oxford's housing market.

"It makes sense to to give ourselves the option.

"This will enable us to spend from our budget if there is a business case."

Ed Turner. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

Council leader Susan Brown moved the proposals to a vote which cabinet members then passed.

Planning permission is yet to be granted for the project with discussion set to take place in summer this year.

The demolition and construction would take at least three years, with the aparthotel and centre likely to open in 2027.

The cinema is the third Odeon to close in Oxfordshire, following Banbury and the 99-year-old Magdalen Road theatre.

Oxford City Council has been contacted for comment on the planning permission for the site.