SUPPORTERS and campaigners hoping to save the State cinema in Grays are awaiting the outcome of a meeting that took place on Friday between Thurrock Council, Historic England and the owners of the building.

The historic Grade-II* listed cinema, which is in a derelict condition, was sold by the Wetherspoon pub chain in early February.

After Friday's meeting Thurrock Council said the 'new owners' had purchased the building in June. No details about the owners after Wetherspoons have been released.

In April campaign groups called on Thurrock Council to take action to ensure the building's safety and particularly to ensure the preservation of the art-Deco interior. They were concerned about the lack of enforcement over a number of years by the authority, which is responsible for ensuring the building's safety and integrity.

But, in keeping with its previous apparent apathy to the project, the council appeared once more to be on the backfoot and its inaction, described as 'appalling' by the Cinema Theatre Association - one of the bodies desperate to save the building - angered campaigners.

The State is in a dilapidated condition.

However, Thurrock Nub News learned on Friday that a meeting was to take place between the council, the owners and Historic England.

Today (Monday, 31 July) the council confirmed it had happened but gave no indication as to the outcome.

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Despite the sale by previous owners Wetherspoons being announced in February and the meeting taking the best part of six months to happen, the council says it has acted 'swiftly'.

A statement issued today says: "Ownership of the building has changed hands very recently and we have moved swiftly to engage with the new owners.

"A meeting was arranged with them and their architects on Friday, 28 July to discuss their proposals for the building and to seek to ensure that works are carried out at the earliest opportunity to ensure that further damage does not occur.

"Historic England were represented at the meeting."

Thurrock Nub News has asked the council what its plans are to ensure the building is restored and made watertight and safe.