Cameo’s new lease of life

The future of one of Edinburgh’s best-loved independent cinemas is set to be secured, with the city council expected to grant its operator a new long-term lease.

The Cameo’s operator City Screen is expected to be handed a new lease on a council-owned section of its building in Lochrin Place to run until 2037.

Councillors had previously agreed to offer a 50-year lease to the company but the proposal broke down when City Screen asked for a clause to be inserted into the lease allowing it to sub-let, potentially reducing the council’s control of the property.

But the new terms state that, if City Screen wants to sub-let the property, the city council will have first option.

Councillors will be asked to approve the proposal at a meeting next Tuesday.