A COMMUNITY group has hit back at a leading councillor over his comments about the former EMD cinema building.

Cllr Terry Wheeler, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, told a scrutiny committee meeting that he will rule out a council purchase of the EMD site, which belongs to the evangelical United Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG).

He also referred to the UCKG proposal, which would see the Hoe Street building converted into a church and community centre, as the “only proposal I know will work.”

A number of campaigners, including members of The McGuffin Film Society, want the building re-opened as a cinema.

Bill Hodgson, McGuffin spokesman, said: “Cllr Terry Wheeler has clearly made up his mind about the EMD despite his duty as a councillor to remain impartial ahead of a planning application.

"A compulsory purchase would always be the solution of last resort.

“There are a range of more imaginative options which could be considered and a number of cinema operators who are ready to step in to resolve this situation".

McGuffin claims to have spoken to a number of cinema operators interested in acquiring the EMD site.

A planning application from UCKG to convert the venue into a church is expected to be submitted soon.