Winner vows to save Kensington cinema

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The film director has vowed to fight to save the Odeon in Kensington High Street after Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell signed the death warrant for the 1926 building by refusing to give it listed status.

It will now be bulldozed and replaced with a block of 80 upmarket flats and a basement multi-screen complex. Winner said he was outraged at the decision.

He said: "I will support and sign any petition and I'll even walk up and down with placards if asked. It's just another act of vandalism, and it's totally unnecessary.

"I've lived here in this area since 1946 and seen lovely building after lovely building torn down to be replaced. When will they learn? We don't need any more hideous flats in Kensington."

The news was greeted with horror by cinema buffs, who said the building's character made it a unique landmark. Tara Kela, 67, from West Kensington, said: "I'd much prefer the older building to be preserved.

"A modern structure wouldn't be in keeping with the character of the area." The Odeon was bought for £24 million a year ago by property firms Minerva and Northacre.

Northacre chief executive John Hunter said two planning applications for the site would be made within two months, one involving a whole new building and the other seeing the Art Deco facade retained.

He said he would be happy if the council chose the latter option, adding: "Michael Winner should stick to critiquing food."