THE decision to pour public money into the Arcade site redevelopment project has demolished the council's argument for not reopening the EMD cinema, according to campaigners.

There have been calls for the council to compulsory purchase the grade II listed building, in Hoe Street, so it can once again be used to show films.

Until now, the authority has preferred to allow a private developer to fund a multiplex cinema on the Arcade site rather than use public money to purchase and re-open the EMD.

But as the council has now decided to bail out the Arcade site development with £35m of public funds this makes the council's argument for not purchasing the EMD building redundant, according to the McGuffin Film Society.

McGuffin spokesman Bill Hodgson said: "This blows any reason for building a multiplex right out of the water.

"Under these new proposals, a multiplex would be entirely funded by public money.

"Research has shown time and again that a reopened EMD is what the community wants and there is now no justification whatsoever for spending public funds on an alternative cinema”.

The McGuffin Film Society has campaigned to reopen Walthamstow’s EMD Cinema, since its closure in 2003.

The building's current owners, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, hope to use the bulding for a church and community space.

It is expected to submit a planning application shortly.

A public meeting to discuss the future of the EMD will be held at St Mary's School hall in Rectory Road, Walthamstow.