IN a bid to break the wall of silence and inaction by Thurrock Council the UK'S Cinema Theatre Association has once more called for the authority to use its powers to ensure the upkeep of the rapidly deteriorating State Cinema.

The listed building's future has been in limbo for years and, despite repeated calls for the council to take enforcement action against its owners to preserve it, the building continues to decline.

Water is pouring into the interior through a gaping hole in the roof and other parts of the structure are clearly in need of repair.

Thurrock Council has the power to force the owners to make repairs and to fine them - neither being a course of action it has taken. It could also carry out the work itself and charge the owners.

The cinema, previously owned by the Wetherspoon pub chain, was sold by them last month after it aborted plans to turn the venu into a pub.

The council came under more pressure at the time to do something, but those pleas - repeated in council at a meeting in January when leader Cllr Mark Coxshall acknowledged it was the council's responsibility to do something - appear to have been ignored.

Noe the Cinema Theatre Association has again called on the council to delivedr on its responsibilities.

In a statement it says: "Our cinema heritage Casework team are in vigorous discussion with both Historic England and Thurrock Council at senior level in order to get the roof repaired.

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"We continue to press for an Urgent Works Notice to be served on the new owner by Thurrock Council, supported by Historic England due to its Grade II Listing.

"We believe the new owner is an investment company, and it must have sold for about the asking price of £1/2 million. It remains at huge risk."

In January Thurrock Nub News asked the council why it was not taking action. We are still awaiting an answer!