A much-loved cinema in Wells has been saved from potential closure after Wells City Council agreed to buy the land it sits on.

The move comes after Somerset Council, as part of its wider financial strategy, made the decision to sell off the land, which is currently occupied by the Cinema Film Centre as a tenant. The sale could have seen the site put on the open market, risking redevelopment and the possible closure of the cinema.

But in a deal welcomed by all parties, Wells City Council has now stepped in to purchase the freehold, securing the long-term future of the independent cinema.

Mayor of Wells and chair of the city council, Cllr Jasmine Browne, said: "The city council are delighted to be able to support local businesses and services. This is especially important when we have been able to do so without an impact on the council's finances and therefore on the public pocket.

"We look forward to a long and successful working relationship with the cinema."

Cllr Theo Butt Philip, Somerset Council's member for Wells, said Somerset Council had always been committed to giving the city council the first opportunity to buy the land, rather than risk losing the cinema to wider commercial sale.

"Somerset Council needs to sell assets which, like this, are not used for delivering council services," he said. "But we know how important the cinema is to Wells, so from the outset we were committed to ensuring the city council had an opportunity to buy the site before it was offered for sale more widely.

"I am delighted that Somerset Council and Wells City Council have been able to find a mutually beneficial solution, whereby Wells City Council will purchase the freehold and safeguard the long-term future of this greatly-valued Wells institution."

As part of the agreement, the city council has offered a long-term tenancy to cinema owner Sally Cooper, allowing the business to plan for the future with greater security.

Ms Cooper said: "I am delighted to have the support of the city council in securing the cinema for the people of Wells. The last few months have been difficult to navigate with the uncertainty about what may happen.

"But the city council has stepped in where Somerset wasn't able to and we are pleased to have secured a commercial arrangement that serves us as a business and the council.

"We are really excited for the future of the cinema and will now be focusing on how we can improve the facilities to ensure that it remains a thriving local business for years to come."