A GOVERNMENT minister has praised city MP Christine Russell for her campaign to retain the Chester Odeon as a cinema.
Margaret Hodge, Minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism, was speaking after Ms Russell asked what the Government was doing to preserve cinemas.
Ms Russell told the Commons: “The importance of cinemas to town and city centres is that they provide an alternative to alcohol-fuelled entertainment. My city of Chester has lost all its city-centre cinemas. We are trying to get the Odeon reopened.”
Mrs Hodge responded: “First, I congratulate my honourable Friend on the vigorous campaign that she is pursuing in her constituency for her local cinema.
“Secondly, like her, I welcome the fact that box office earnings from cinemas have gone up 56 per cent in the past nine years.
“Thirdly, the cultural infrastructure in our cities, towns and communities is hugely important because it makes them places where people want to live and work.”
