THE owners of Oxford’s last independent cinema – who last month put it up for sale – marked its centenary by saying it is “definitely not closing”.

Philippa Farrow and Jane Derricott said they had already received interest from possible buyers of the Ultimate Picture Palace, after putting it on the market last month.

They are looking to sell up because they say running the East Oxford cinema has left them exhausted.

On Thursday the cinema, in Jeune Street, off Cowley Road, celebrated the 100th anniversary of its opening with a series of free screenings.

Ms Farrow said: “The cinema is definitely not closing. We’re looking to move it on, but there are a few people who have shown interest. Nothing is decided yet. This isn’t our big goodbye. This is a welcome to our happy birthday party.”

The friends bought the cinema in 2009 and have run it with the help of a team of volunteers.

But Miss Farrow told the Oxford Mail last month: “We are both exhausted and have too too much going on in our lives to dedicate the time and energy it deserves.”

The Oxford Picture Palace, as it was originally known, opened on February 24, 1911. It became a furniture store in the 1920s but was turned back into a cinema in 1976 by BBC Radio Oxford radio presenter Bill Heine as the Penultimate Picture Palace.

The name came from a conversation with his bank manager, who told him his plan was “not quite the ultimate in bad ideas, but the penultimate”.

Squatters moved in for a time after the cinema closed in 1994 but it reopened as the Ultimate Picture Palace in 1997.

Ms Farrow added: “People come because it’s an independent cinema. It’s unique and we try to create a nice atmosphere.

“Where else can you sit and have a glass of wine and watch a film?

“Our centenary day was about a little bit of history.

“People may have come because it was free but mainly it was our loyal customers. We appreciate people choosing to come here so much.”

The centenary was celebrated with free screenings of a documentary about the cinema’s life and times, called The Ultimate Survivor, made by local director Philip Hind, and the 1950s comedy film The Smallest Show on Earth, about a couple who inherit a ramshackle cinema.

Audience members at the free screenings of a documentary about the cinema’s life and times, called The Ultimate Survivor from local film-maker Philip Hind – said it was vital the cinema stayed open.

Loyal customer Anita Lloyd, who attended with friend Wendy Hill from Oxford, said: “It’s got to stay. The move to sell it is causing great panic and anguish.

“We come because it's near, friendly and there’s a community feel, as well as a very interesting programme.

“We’ve been loyal customers since it was old and tatty.”

Hugh Davis, from Thame, said: “We come because it shows the films we want to see. None of the Hollywood rubbish. We get the bus from Thame and it’s worth the travel.”