The doors may close in December

From the outside, the grade two listed building looks much as it did when it opened its doors back in 1921, despite the addition of two smaller screens in the 1970s.

The owners of the site, the Odeon group, have sold the site to a London company which plans to convert it into a health and leisure group.

Campaigners argue that the interest shown by independent operators in the site proves that it could make a profit.

Hatty Appleby said: "A lot of older people think the multiplexes are alienating and can't get to them.

"But this cinema embraces all ages and many people walk or cycle to it. It is still very viable and there's no reason to take it away from us just to line a few pockets."

City Screen, the cinema exhibitor operating in University towns, is keen to take over the operation.

However, the Odeon Group have included a restricted covenant in its sale, stopping the new owners from running a cinema on the site in the future.