THE REGAL cinema in Evesham was due to close today through lack of support from cinema-goers.

The owner of the small independent company running the Regal, Lee Allwood of Orion Cinemas, said he was trading at a loss.

He said: "Our six month lease has run out and we will not be renewing it at this time.

"We have run the cinema for six months but unfortunately not enough people came through the doors for us to make any profit."

Mr Allwood said he felt the problem lay in the run-down state of the cinema, and that as soon as the Regal was refurbished he would enter into negotiation to run it again.

The news came as a shock for manager, Irene McKenzie who has declined to comment.

Regal's agent Olivia Spall of Nicol Thomas Limited said the owner was also not prepared to make a comment at this stage.

Wychavon's town centres' manager Lew Hammond said it was bad news for the town and a bad time to be closing the cinema with the holiday period coming up.

He said: "It is most unfortunate but I can understand Mr Allwood's position. The cinema is badly in need of renovation and it is not a very attractive place to visit at present."

Mr Hammond said that the cinema featured in the economic regeneration scheme for Port Street, which should attract a slice of the £200,000 in investment grants once renovation starts.

However he now had worries over its future. He said: "I don't know what will happen to the cinema if it lies empty for any length of time."

Nearly four years ago when the previous owner John Angel decided to sell the 1930's Art Deco cinema an action group was formed and the Regal was registered as a Grade II listed building.

In April 2002 the cinema was finally sold to a mystery buyer who put in plans for its renovation, which were passed about six months ago, but no work has been carried out yet.