An independent cinema situated in an historic building has shown its last ever film there, it has been announced.

The New Century Cinema in Sittingbourne has shut down at the end of its lease, amid rising costs and falling business – but its manager is determined to find other premises.

Clare Ralph said she was heartbroken by the decision, but that she intended to host her business elsewhere if she was able to.

The 49-year-old from Leysdown said: "The lease is up and footfall has just gone down since the pandemic.

"I'm looking for other premises to continue the business because I've got a lot of locals that are really good customers that want to find me wherever I am.

"I don't want to give it up. Running the cinema is what I do but I can't keep this place going.

"I need to find another premises in either Sittingbourne or Sheerness – so if someone knows an empty building that I could look at which I could get two screens in that would be great."

The closure comes after the business took a £25,000 hit during the pandemic and accompanying lockdowns.

Ms Ralph said she even had to rely on the kindness of her friends and family to survive a turbulent few months, before finally being forced to close today.

The cinema was opened in 1937 by the Odeon chain and was later taken over and re-named New Century Cinema in 2000.

It can hold just over 200 people combined in both its screens at once.

New Century isn't the first business in the historic building to pack up shop due to the property's lease.

Mecca Bingo, which had opened alongside the cinema in the building, announced the closure of its high street venue last summer.

Its doors closed after almost half a century calling the numbers.

Clare has been manager and projectionist at the cinema for the past eight years.

However, she started her career at the movie theatre 20 years ago.

She said: "I basically started from the bottom and just worked my way up to running it.

"My father died and I said I'd go out and get a job. I just walked down high street and saw an advert in the window and started from then."

New Century Cinema has shown Marvel box office hits and films of all types for all ages.

Clare continued: "We played films that I knew would suit the area.

"Because I'm a realist I know the price of things can put people off and I've come from nothing to something.

"I've always kept my prices low because of that. A family of four could come in, see a film and get snacks and walk away with change from a £20 note.

"We'd even play some old films at a pound a shot for the kids. I've always catered for the people who can afford it."

Clare said she has many followers who are absolutely devastated at the cinema's closure.

She said: "Because of the love for the cinema I need anyone that knows any places that I could look at and see where I can go from there.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without the cinema, that is what worries and scares me more than anything because I don't know what I'm going to do without the cinema.

"I've got so many memories of the cinema, I've had loads of birthday parties here for the younger children.

"The kids love it and I used to bring my pugs to the cinema and they used to love coming to see the dogs."

Anyone who knows of a place where Ms Ralph can revive the cinema is asked to email clarescinema@hotmail.com.

Swale council has been contacted for comment about the future of the old building.