THE Save the State Cinema campaign group has expressed its 'extreme' disappointment after witnessing the "wanton vandalism, destruction and arson attacks that have taken place at the cinema over the past couple of months".

The group battling to save the Grade II*-listed art deco building added: "This is despite the campaign team's frequent contacts with the council alerting them of lax security and the ever worsening internal and external condition of the building."

The condition of the building in the centre of Grays was highlighted in a Thurrock Nub News story yesterday (Thursday, 4 July),

Today the campaigners issued the folowing hard-hitting statement: "It is clear that since JD Wetherspoon's ownership of the building, its condition has been allowed to deteriorate dramatically, and following the sale of this Grade II*-listed heritage asset to Naveed Ahmad of London Developments International, the building has, in our view, been left unsecured. It is no surprise some people believe that if miscreants cause enough damage, the action may warrant the destruction of this iconic building, paving the way for an unwanted development in the heart of Grays.

"It is our view that the following course of action must now be taken by Thurrock Council on behalf of the Secretary of State, to meet their obligations as a local authority and to protect this much loved and valued iconic theatre in the heart of the borough.

"The council must exercise their powers under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 with immediate effect.

• Enter the building and make it secure from unauthorised entry, to protect the listed assets and to prevent a large scale fire and public emergency arising in the town centre, and reclaim this expenditure from Naveed Ahmad/London Developments International
• Enforce upon Naveed Ahmad/London Developments International the immediate repairs required to make the roof watertight
• Enforce upon Naveed Ahmad/London Developments International the requirement to reinstate all listed features inside the building, restoring all damage caused by vandalism and theft, and the failed attempts at a pub conversion by JDWetherspoon. This should include reinstatement of all plasterwork, light fittings, metal fittings, wood panelling and musical instruments which are specifically listed in the building's entry with Historic England
• This should be time-boxed with clear notice given that compulsory purchase with limited compensation will result for non-compliance
• In the event of Compulsory Purchase, the cinema to be put to use for the benefit of the community as a place of entertainment, as per its original purpose, filling a local need for theatre facilities.

"Quite simply, enough is enough.

"Thurrock Council, and the building's custodians, which have included Morrisons PLC, TSP Properties LTD, JDWetherspoon PLC and London Development International are in our opinion responsible for the widescale destruction of this listed heritage asset, and Thurrock Council in particular has tacitly agreed and approved its slow destruction.

"We call for an immediate end to this destruction, if only for the sake of the safety of those in the town centre and the neighbouring properties. A further arson attack presents real risks to life for those perpetrating, those unintentionally present in or around the building and those tasked with tackling the blaze."