Southsea Cinema says it will launch an appeal after it was refused permission to open late for its fourth anniversary celebrations.
The independent cinema, based in Southsea, had applied to operate later into the evening as part of its plans for May.
The application was refused on April 22, with the council saying that the proposed hours “would, by means of additional noise and activity being generated and insufficiently mitigated, lead to a harmful impact on neighbour amenity.”
In an email to the council, founder Aysegul Epengin outlined concerns about the decision and the reasoning behind it.
“We must express our disappointment with this outcome, particularly given the level of time, effort, and financial investment we have committed, exceeding £3,000, in preparing detailed reports, sound assessments, and operational plans to support this application.
“The reason for refusal states that the proposal would result in a ‘harmful impact on neighbour amenity’ due to noise and activity.
“However, this conclusion is unclear to us and lacks sufficient explanation,” she said.
She added that previous correspondence with Regulatory Services indicated there was “no evidence of statutory noise nuisance” associated with the venue.
The application was supported by an acoustic report and mitigation measures, which the cinema says are already in place.
The email also raised questions about the consultation process. Notification letters to neighbouring properties stated that comments should be submitted by 11 April 2026, but objections were recorded up to 22 April 2026.
“This inconsistency is misleading and has disadvantaged us, as we were not given a fair opportunity to review or respond to late submissions,” Ms Epengin said.
Ms Epengin said the venue remains committed to working with the council and local residents.
“Our intention is not to cause disruption, but to create a sustainable cultural venue,” she said. “However, the current decision leaves us without clear, actionable guidance on how to proceed or improve.”
The cinema is marking its fourth anniversary with a programme of events celebrating its role as a cultural venue in Southsea. The programme includes film screenings, community led events, and themed evenings designed to appeal to a wide audience.
Organisers say the events aim to highlight independent cinema, bring together local creatives, and encourage greater use of the venue by residents and visitors.
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