Council to back buyout of WW2 bomb cinema

COUNCIL bosses have agreed in principle to buy a cinema which was bombed in the Second World War under a compulsory purchase order.

While Hull City Council has supported the order for the National Picture Theatre, it said it needs to be satisfied that the campaigners looking to restore the building, in memory of the civilians killed in the Blitz, have the necessary funding in place to deliver the project.

The Grade II listed building on Beverley Road has been derelict for more than 70 years and failed to sell at auction earlier this year.

Craig McHugh, English Heritage’s advisor on heritage at risk, said: “I think we’ve taken a big step forward today. We’ve got council commitment to move forward with compulsory purchase.

“We believe this will be a fitting tribute to the people of Hull who lost their lives during the Second World War.”

The National Civilian World War Two Memorial Trust has led a major campaign to redevelop the site.