quote:

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THE future of York's only independent cinema, City Screen, could be in doubt if it loses a legal battle worth more than £1 million.

Bradford-based Totty Construction Group Ltd is suing the arthouse cinema for damages in a dispute over work on the former Yorkshire Herald building carried out in 1999.

Totty insists it carried out refurbishment and new build works on the project, and should have been paid a lump sum of £3,152,072, according to a High Court writ just made publicly available.

It is claimed City Screen has refused to pay Totty for extensions of time arising under the contract, and has refused to recognise its true monetary entitlements.

But City Screen, which has 18 outlets across the country, is vigorously opposing the action.

Totty is suing the York cinema for £1,082,479, plus VAT, as well as damages and also seeks declarations over its entitlements to time extensions following the 1999 contract.

Lyn Goleby, City Screen's managing director, said: "This writ is putting the future of the cinema at risk. It couldn't sustain a million pound claim.

"It would be tragic for York."

A spokesman for Totty Construction Ltd said: "Due to the pending legal proceedings it would not be appropriate to comment at this time."

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Link, which will be overwritten by another story tomorrow.
 

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Posted by Ken McFall (Member # 845) on 10-19-2004, 05:52 AM:
 
Seems to me the original cost of the project was £3,152,072 and the sum being disputed is part of the original cost NOT an extra cost. The original cost was part of the costs that City Screen were fully aware of. If the cinema can not afford to pay it now then it clearly could not have afforded it then.

As for the cinema not being able to afford that sum is irrelivant. The contractors did the work and they want their money, sad day for York or not!

I of course get no satisfaction from City Screen's predicament along with the ever growing number of people who feel they have been shafted by them.
 

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Posted by Darren Briggs (Member # 1071) on 10-23-2004, 07:41 AM:
 
Hi Ken, thought you had dissapeared from the face of the earth, not seen or heard from you on here or anywhere.

Hope things are going well for you.
I couldn't possibly comment on the City Screen VS Builders situation but im sure it willall sort its self out as these things usually do.

Darren
 

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 10-23-2004, 02:07 PM:
 
Given that this might end up in court, I'm not going to make any comment either. I hope I don't get called as a witness!

Related to which, it looks like another City Screen site is in a spot of bother:

quote: circular e-mail received by Leo

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The OTHER Cinema will close its doors on Sunday 14th November. The details of this situation are complicated, but in brief it is due there being a massive rent on the building. Whilst work is going on behind the scenes for a rescue package, the enthusiastic Front of House staff have launched a campaign.

If you wish to send any message of support electronically, or indeed if you can help in any other way please email savetheothercinema@hotmail.com

The staff of the Other Cinema have been staggered by the wonderful support we have received and our campaign is now in full flow. Just to emphasise, that we are trying to raise awareness of the importance of exhibition of cultural cinema and nurturing new film making talent and that we are aiming to lobby for public funding to keep our very vital cinema alive.

Support us by coming in and seeing a film or two, (COFFEE and CIGARETTES and the new White Stripes film UNDER BLACKPOOL LIGHTS are forthcoming) and signing our petition.

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