IT S not yet curtains for the city s cinema dream but the Sale Agreed sign has now been taken down from the former Odeon in London Road, St Albans. Agents acting for the site s owners Wattsdown Limited say the site is not being actively marketed as yet

IT'S not yet curtains for the city's cinema dream but the 'Sale Agreed' sign has now been taken down from the former Odeon in London Road, St Albans.

Agents acting for the site's owners Wattsdown Limited say the site is not being actively marketed as yet but the situation is "fluid" and nothing is set in stone until money has changed hands.

Cinema entrepreneur James Hannaway has raised over �800,000 towards the �1 million purchase price but there is concern that the sale could fall at the final hurdle.

Eric Roberts of St Albans Civic Society (SACS) said: "We have all put so much work into helping make this happen we have to make a final push.

"If everyone who pledged to sponsor a seat at the public meeting held in November honours their promise, we would definitely be able to buy the cinema."

Mr Hannaway, who previously restored the fortunes of The Rex Cinema in Berkhamsted, said 75 of the 500 seats had been sponsored at a cost of �1,000 each

He urged supporters to make their mark and help make the cinema dream happen by sponsoring a seat and having their name on a wall in the foyer. He added: "Please don't let this one-off golden opportunity to save a lovely building for a fine purpose slip through our fingers."

Around 1,500 people belong to the Facebook group "Help to raise a million quid to buy the Odeon St Albans" set up after the public meeting held in November at The Rex. Members are clubbing together to buy seats.

The name of the new cinema will be The Alpha and here are the bank account details for would-be sponsors. The account name is The Alpha and the number is 45364675 with a sort code of 09-01-27.

Cheques should be sent to The Rex, High St, Berkhamsted HP4 2FG, or email therexberkhamsted@googlemail.com for further information