THE countdown to closure has begun for Evesham' s Regal Cinema - despite a massive campaign by townspeople to preserve it.

August 31 is the deadline for the crumbling building now enforcement notices have been served on owner John Angel to carry out certain health and safety work inside.

However, he says he is not going to comply unless he gets help from Wychavon District Council and, if he does not, he will close the cinema.

Head of environmental health Nick Baker said the Regal failed its health and safety inspection at the beginning of this year.

Mr Angel was given a temporary licence up until August 31 to give him time to carry out repairs but renewal is only on condition that the work is completed by that date.

Mr Angel said: "The council is making unnecessary demands. The roof was leaking and we patched it up.

"Now they want us to get in a hydraulic lift to inspect the ceiling, which will cost us thousands of pounds to hire.

"They could easily inspect the ceiling from the loft.

"I am not budging and, unless they come with some help or a grant for some of the cost involved, the cinema will close.

"The Regal barely makes a profit as it is.

"I haven't got the finances to do the work and I don't care much if it does close."

Mr Baker said: "Although the council sympathises with the desire to keep the cinema open, public safety must always be paramount.

"While the works required may be expensive these are not the council's responsibility."

The Regal's rocky future was first revealed before Christmas when Mr Angel announced he was selling it to the highest bidder.

There was uproar from locals who feared the prestigious art-deco cinema - the last in Wychavon - would be pulled down or turned into a block of flats.

Hundreds of townsfolk packed public meetings and an action committee was formed, which resulted in the building being listed.

The Evesham Regal Trust enlisted several famous people in the entertainment world, including Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella and top impressionist Alistair McGowan, to become patrons, and put forward a full business plan to Wychavon.

Now chairman of the Trust, Martin Hammon, has confessed his action group is powerless.

He said: "We have done all we can but without Wychavon behind us financially we are unable to apply for matched funding from other agencies to be able to buy the building and take it over.

"We have also contacted Mr Angel to start up negotiations but have had no response."