Teather backs Timeout's campaign for London Cinema's

3.37.52pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 6th Jan 2005

Sarah Teather has highlighted the plight of London's Cinema's

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for London Sarah Teather MP has today written to Timeout magazine backing their campaign to support London's cinemas.

Speaking about the campaign Sarah Teather MP said:

"The Liberal Democrats have long argued for rate relief and reform of planning guidelines to support local cinemas. This was recently the subject of a Private Member's Bill introduced in the House of Commons by a Liberal Democrat MP.

"Research by the Greater London Assembly shows that 13 London Boroughs have no or only limited access to cinemas compared to the national average. In addition, cinemas outside the West End offer very little choice in terms of the films on offer. In outer London, 9 out of 10 films screened are American and only 8% are foreign language films. This finding is particularly disappointing given the multicultural character of the city. It is absolutely right that this issue is highlighted."