Britain's first multiplex fails listed status bid

An attempt to save Britain's first multiplex cinema from complete demolition, by getting it listed status, has failed.

Originally opened in Milton Keynes in 1985, The Point closed for good after showing its last film in 2015.

The Twentieth Century Society and the Cinema Theatre Association believed its historical importance in the development of cinemas meant it should have been given protected status.

But the society said it had been told by Historic England that the multiplex was pioneered in the United States, rather than Britain, so it was "not of national significance".

Nearly 500 flats are due to be built on the site of The Point.

If listed status was granted, it would make it harder for a developer to make changes to the building.

The Point was an attempt by the US company AMC to bring American-style cinema to UK audiences.

Inside were 10 screens, a number of restaurants, a disco and a bingo hall.

Following a planning appeal, Galliard Holdings Ltd (GHL) was given permission to press ahead with its plans to create 487 flats, across four buildings up to 21 storeys high, on the site of The Point.

Milton Keynes Council had originally told the developer it could not replace the glass pyramid structure, which was once the tallest building in the city.

Labour council leader Pete Marland said: "It is widely acknowledged that The Point saved cinema in this country and changed how people view going to watch a film.

"I find it bizarre to state, [that] because a trend started in another country, then it is less important.

"If this were the case you can de-list all the gothic cathedrals because they were ideas imported from the Norman-French or all our neo-classical buildings because they emerged from Greece.

"I do believe their is an inherent anti-post war bias in many of these decisions."

Guidance from Historic England now prevents The Point being listed for a further five years.

It said The Point had changed extensively "over the years, with very few surviving features, so we advised it does not meet the necessarily high bar for listing in a national context".

The society said it would continue to campaign for a "pragmatic scheme that retains the pyramid structure, while redeveloping the connecting cinema hall and multi-storey car park".

The BBC has approached GHL for a response.

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