Plans to create a �1m health club out of a former cinema in Bristol have been rejected because the building has listed status.

Developers Medinbrand want to refurbish the 81-year-old ABC Cinema in Whiteladies Road.

But nearly 100 opponents have forced a rethink over the plans after lobbying councillors.

Save the Cinema campaigner Hatty Appleby said: "It's about time people stood up and really made a noise about things that are important to them."

If you take away the ABC from Whiteladies Road, what have you got - a drinking shop.

Campaigner Geoff Collard

The last film was shown at the cinema in December 2001.

Supporters then pledged to carry on fighting for the future of the building as a picture house.

But a clause in the sale documents said it could no longer be used as a cinema.

A council spokesman said members recommended refusal because they were uncertain how the work on the interior would be carried out.

Another campaigner, Geoff Collard, said: "It's the fabric of the local community and if you take away the ABC from Whiteladies Road, what have you got - a drinking shop."

Falling numbers

David Morgan, of English Heritage said: "The best use of a building is often the one for which it was built."

But Richard Segal, chief executive of Odeon, said the company originally sold the building because audience numbers were falling.

He said: "Despite offering to undo the covenant, which prevents the building being used to show films, so far no-one has come forward with an offer to resurrect it as a cinema."

It is understood the council may now seek a meeting with Medinbrand to discuss possible amendments to the building's listed status.