THURROCK Council's commitment to meeting its responsibilities and ensuring Grays' State Cinema is maintained to a standard that preserves its listed building status is in doubt after new pictures show the dereliction that the building has been allowed to slip into.

In October the Wetherspoons pub chain announced it was scrapping plans to convert the building, which it bought several years ago, into a showcase new pub and it was going to sell the building.

Wethersppons should have maintained the integrity of the building, keeping it weatherproofed and up to standards set by English Heritage.

The responsibility for ensuring it does that lies with Thurrock Council.

And when Wetherspoons announced its change of plan last month, the authority reacted quickly to say it was on top of the situation and would not shirk its responsibilities.

Council leader Cllr Mark Coxshall said: "We worked closely with them throughout the planning process and we are ready to work closely with the building's new owner in the hope that the doors can open again soon.

"In the meantime we will ensure proper measures to protect this listed building are taken by the owners. This will not prevent us from taking enforcement action if the building is not properly protected."

That statement was made three weeks ago,

Today's (Friday, 25 November) newly-released pictures taken by a drone and published by campaigners and enthusiasts show that the rot has long set in and it appears the council has abdicated its responsibilities.

A gaping hole in the roof is evidence of months, if not years, of problems which have clearly not been addressed.

Campaigners are asking: "What has the council been doing?'

Thurrock Nub News contacted the council this morning and asked them for an urgent appraisal of the situation, suggesting the council should be making a statement.

As yet, we have received no response.