DURHAM'S only cinema could close in early December, despite growing calls for it to be saved.

Bill Freedman Ltd, owner of the Robins Cinema in North Road, has given its 21 staff their redundancy notices.

It means that the new Harry Potter film, which features Durham Johnston School pupils as extras, could be the last shown there.

The company has made the move in the expectation that an appeal by Regent Inns, against the refusal of a drinks licence for an Australian theme pub it wants to open in the building, will be concluded early next month.

The company is currently on one month's notice from the building's owner, Troveworth, which has said the cinema is no longer viable because the building needs expensive refurbishment and will close whatever the outcome of the appeal.

A petition calling for it to be saved was signed by more than 2,000 people.

A cinema spokesman said: "We haven't met a single person who wants the theme pub to happen.

"We set up a meeting with Troveworth and offered to invest £200,000 in the building, but they said they have another tenant.

"Everyone is very sad. Our MD has shed tears about it. The only way we'll still be open is if the appeal is adjourned.''

Jonathan Roberts, chairman of the Crossgate Residents' Association, which opposed the Walkabout theme pub, has been speaking to schoolchildren about the cinema.

He said: "Young people are very concerned that if the Robins closes it will be very difficult for them to go to the cinema independently.

"They will have to be driven to the MetroCentre or the cinema at Boldon.

"The Robins is an important part of Durham's entertainment scene. It would be a shame to lose it just when we have got a theatre."