Campaigners say they would like to see the former ABC cinema restored

The lease on an agreement between Medinbrand - owners of the Whiteladies Picture House in Bristol - and LA Fitness, who planned a gym conversion, has expired.

The grade two-listed building is the oldest cinema in the city.

Campaigners hope the end of the lease period will encourage Bristol City Council to allow the building to be re-opened as a cinema.

Medinbrand, had lined up LA Fitness to run the picture house as a fitness club, subject to being granted listed building consent.

Plans which are this inconsistent and ill-thought through waste council time and our money Hattie Appleby

Save the ABC campaign spokesperson, Hattie Appleby, said: "This must come as a bitter blow to Medinbrand and begs the question whether their scheme is viable."

LA Fitness' decision to pull out coincided with yet another application from Medinbrand to convert the building to a health club, she said.

However, there was confusion over whether these plans did, or did not, include a swimming pool and steam room.

Nearby householders recently received a letter from the council saying the new plans did not include a pool, sauna or steam room.

'Story straight'

But Ms Appleby said plans on show still referred to a swimming pool and related spa facilities.

She said: "This is totally misleading. Medinbrand and their advisers should get their story straight.

"Plans which are this inconsistent and ill-thought through waste council time and our money."

But Graham Parker, Medinbrand's planning consultant, said: "What has happened is that the agreement to lease the building between LA Fitness and Medinbrand has run out.

"This doesn't mean that LA Fitness has 'withdrawn', as the Save the ABC campaign has claimed.

"What it does mean is that Medinbrand is no longer tied to one single operator and they can play the field' once again.