A prominent building's 89-year run as a cinema looks set to end as the site has been put up for rent and earmarked for a housing development.

The plot on the corner of St George's Place in Canterbury - off the city's ring-road - has been home to a picture house since 1933.

But recent developments have now cast significant doubt over its future as a movie theatre.

The site was most recently home to a two-screen Odeon, which shut its doors in March 2020 following the outbreak of Covid and was later used as a vaccination clinic.

The chain had hoped to welcome film fans back when internal construction work was completed, but it was announced in August it would not be reopening the cinema.

Now, signs have appeared on the boarded-up building - which also had a Costa Coffee outlet on the ground floor - advertising the site for let.

Agents have yet to reveal what type of commercial operators they are hoping to attract, but with the cinema industry continuing to struggle in the wake of the pandemic, there is likely to be little interest in taking it on as a going concern.

Canterbury City Council has also earmarked the plot for 50 new homes in its draft Local Plan.

The site would have commercial facilities on the ground floor only with apartments above - heavily indicating there is no long-term future for the site as a cinema, as one of its screens is on the first floor.

Documents published by the authority state that the design and layout of any development should "respond to the site’s prominent and sensitive immediate context, including the City walls and other nearby heritage assets".

It also says it will provide a "landmark building of innovative design, including high quality detailing and materials". There would be no parking spaces.

Odeon did not explain in the summer why the branch had permanently closed.

A spokesman for the firm said in August: "We are disappointed to confirm the closure of our Canterbury cinema.

"This was a very difficult decision and followed a thorough assessment of all available options.

"Supporting the Odeon Canterbury team is our number one priority and we would like to thank our colleagues for all their incredible work over the years at the cinema."

The firm also did not say which “available options” were assessed.

The site was built for and opened by the County Cinemas chain as the Regal Cinema on August 5, 1933.

The opening film was Falling For You, starring Jack Hulbert.

The venue was taken over by Associated British Cinemas in April 1935, but was forced to close in 1942 after suffering bomb damage.

It reopened in February of the following year, and in 1963 was renamed ABC Cinema.

In 1972 it closed for two months for work to take place to convert it into a venue offering both films and bingo

Later renamed Cannon Cinema, the stalls bingo was converted back into cinema use in August 1988.

More takeovers saw its name change to the MGM Cinema, back to ABC Cinema, and then to the Odeon.

Commerical estate agent CBRE, which is marketing the site, was contacted for comment and more information.