Fears that Pride of Place cash could bankroll Criterion 'vanity project'

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage has taken a swipe at the borough council over its cinema conversion "vanity project", expressing fears that regeneration money could be diverted into the controversial scheme.

- by Kelly Brown

It comes as Rowner is one of 339 areas earmarked to receive up to £20m from the government's Pride in Place initiative.

The cash is to be spent on projects to revive the area, with councils playing a key role in accounting for how the money is spent.

Communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh told the Commons this week that councils would work alongside MPs to set up community neighbourhood boards which would decide how the money would be spent.

However, Ms Dinenage has said that fears had been stoked that money could be diverted to the Criterion project.

The building was bought by the council in 2022 as it wanted to create a new entertainment venue; it had operated as a cinema and theatre until 1968, and was a bingo hall until it closed in 2020.

As previously reported by