A MUCH-LOVED Bowness cinema is expected to be deemed a 'cultural asset' following public outcry at the suggestion that it might be redeveloped.

The Royalty Cinema was put forward by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) to be included in the Lake District National Park Authority’s (LDNPA) local plan review.

The review described the cinema building as ‘deteriorating’ and that it ‘detracts from the quality of the conservation area in its current condition’.

“It is considered that the site could be redeveloped for a mix of uses improving the quality of the existing offer in what is a primary shopping area,” it said. “Retail uses and tourism uses would be appropriate in this location.”

Concern over the future of the cinema was raised, with a Facebook group set up in order for campaigners to voice their views.

However, at next week's SLDC cabinet meeting it is anticipated that a motion will be approved that asks the LDNPA to put a condition on the site that the cinema is retained.

The requested wording states the LDNPA plan should 'include a requirement for retention of the cinema in a way which meets local community and visitor expectations' and that any work to improve the cinema or work on the rest of the site includes a 'a requirement that the cinema be retained as a community and cultural asset.'

Culture and leisure portfolio holder for SLDC, Chris Hogg said: “We said several weeks ago that including this site in these discussions did not mean there were any plans or proposals for the Royalty, and we said we had absolutely no intention of losing the Royalty as a cinema.

“It is a vital cultural and historical asset for the district which forms an important part of the Bowness Conservation area. It is highly valued by locals and visitors alike and provides excellent entertainment and leisure in this key tourist location."

However, owner of the cinema Charles Morris said that he was not particularly comforted by the news.

"There's no confirmation that it is actually going to happen," he said. "Everything just seems to be a suggestion, there's nothing definite."

And Councillor Ben Berry has urged SLDC to go one step further by removing the site from the list of buildings it suggested for inclusion in the review.

“This much-loved Cinema can’t be completely safe while it remains allocated for redevelopment in the National Park’s plan," he said. "The council can spin all it likes but the only way to keep the site one hundred percent safe is to admit it has got this one badly wrong and formally remove the Royalty as a site for redevelopment."