The campaign to save art deco cinema that inspired best-selling author

Concerns remain over condition of building as tide may be turning for George in Portobello

It was like a scene from a movie. Bathed in golden spring sunshine, the tall art deco facade looked like something straight out of Miami Vice. But this wasn’t Ocean Drive - it was much closer to home in Edinburgh’s own seaside resort at Portobello. 

While encouraging reports that restoration work is finally underway at the much lamented Odeon cinema in Clerk Street emerged this week - as hospitality entrepreneur Stefan King plans it re-opening as a cinema and nightclub - its smaller cousin The George in Bath Street faces a less certain future. 

In what appears increasingly to be a developer versus community kind of struggle, there are some signs that the tide could finally be turning down on the waterfront. 

The Friends of the George (FoTG) have been campaigning for almost ten years to save the Grade C listed building of the George Cinema, after it was sold to local housing developer Buckley Building Services, who applied to partially demolish it and build 21 luxury apartments attached to the original front-facing facade. The ensuing saga has led to a second planning application, a request to have the building de-listed, and various appeals which have all been rejected. Last year saw the building go up for sale, but the offer made by FoTG was rejected. 

In recent months local councillors have been pushing for enforcement action against the owner amid concerns that they are not meeting legal obligation to maintain the building.