Plans for apartments next to the Electric Cinema – which bosses feared would put it out of business – have been scrapped after a raft of objections.

The owner of the oldest working cinema in the UK had feared the scheme would lead to its demise because of noise pollution complaints from residents.

However, plans to turn the former snooker hall next door into studio apartments have now been withdrawn, which Electric owner Tom Lawes called "democracy in action".

The Electric had launched a social media campaign as a "pre-emptive strike" in order to try to save the venue which now turns over £1 million a year and has more than 70,000 annual visitors watching films.

Writing on the cinema's Facebook page, Mr Lawes said: "Since so many of you complained (I think you guys broke the council email system!) the planning application has been withdrawn. So a massive, massive thanks to you all. Democracy in action for once!"

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The Electric's fears of a knock-on effect to business came after the famous Fiddle & Bone pub in Sheepcote Street, which was a thriving jazz venue, was closed after people living in a new block of flats nearby moaned about sound levels.

Ironically, the latest success was announced the day the Fiddle & Bone finally re-opened.

The proposals had been for five self-contained apartments on the Station Street site. However, when the Post searched the application online it had been withdrawn.