A disused cinema complex cost a local authority almost £350,000 in the seven months it took the authority to maintain the premises.

The building on East Square in Basildon, Essex, was purchased by the local council last August and looked after the site until its acquired by Vue in March.

A Freedom of Information Act (FOI) request submitted by the BBC revealed that security and custody costs at Basildon Borough Council during his time in office amounted to £145,000.

The Essex-based authority said the site had created more than 40 jobs since it reopened under Vue in July.

However, independent councillor Kerry Smith said he believed the council had made a mistake in investing in the park due to the popularity of the nearby Cineworld.

“I can imagine this becoming the largest dovecote in Europe,” said the Nethermayne councillor.

He added: “Right from the start, when the idea came up that the council could buy the building, I said that the taxpayer should not bear the cost.”

“Only communist countries do that.”

Figures seen by the BBC show that the local authority spent £190,112 on building insurance and business rates for the complex.

The service charges cost the council a further £6,199 over the same period, between 25 August 2023 and 18 March 2024.

The Council bought the site to Empire, which was scheduled to open on the site in early 2022, went bankrupt last summer.

The cinema is part of a larger development in East Square, estimated to cost over £26 million.

Mr Smith said it could all be for nothing if Vue, which opened on July 25, fails to build a consistent customer base.

“If someone in Basildon wants to see a film, they go to Festival Leisure Park for two reasons – it is safer and the parking is free,” he added.

A city council spokesman said the cinema had “increased attendance and attracted new visitors” to the city center.

“This has already directly created over 40 new jobs and will further improve the vibrancy of the city centre while also promoting nightlife,” he said.

The cinema has already recorded a “high number of visitors” since its opening, the spokesman added.