Cinema that had been up for sale will remain open

A cinema and bingo hall that had been facing closure after being put up for sale has been given a reprieve.

The owner of The Palace Cinema in Felixstowe, Suffolk, had put the venue on the market with a guide price of £700,000.

Patrick Duffy, managing director of Palatial Leisure, said there had been offers for the building but none that "stacked up financially or guaranteed the continuation of the businesses".

Felixstowe Town Council looked into acquiring the building, but announced it would not be financially viable.

Duffy said he would be looking to make "various improvements to the building, the car park and exterior", and said "refreshed seating" could be a project for the future.

A new manager has been brought in.

A campaign group, Future Palace Felixstowe, was set up to try to raise funds to secure the future of the 87-year-old cinema.

The group's Mark Jones said: "This is great news for the town that a much loved cinema and entertainment centre seems to have a secure future for the time being."

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