Cinema Closure Marks End of an Era
The Cinemes Guiu in La Seu d’Urgell has suspended its regular film programming after more than 75 years of operation, marking the end of an era for the Alt Urgell region. The closure follows the retirement of sisters Irene and Montse Guiu, the long-time proprietors who managed the cultural complex for decades. While the venue is not officially closed, no new film schedule has been announced since the summer break. Currently, only a pre-contracted French-language cinema cycle continues to run and is set to last until December. The complex’s events hall remains available for private bookings.
Failed Talks Over Municipal Buyout
Discussions between the owners and the Ajuntament de la Seu d’Urgell (city council) to secure the cinema’s future have lasted four years but have not resulted in an agreement. In February 2026, a municipal motion by Junts and ERC calling for the council to acquire the building failed to pass. According to Montse Guiu, the council commissioned its own property valuation, but ultimately ruled out the purchase. The estimated cost of the deal was six million euros, three million for acquisition and another three million for rehabilitation, including upgrades to the five residential flats located above the cinema.
Municipal Investment Deemed Unaffordable
Mayor Joan Barrera stated that such an investment is currently unaffordable within the city’s municipal budget. Despite this, he affirmed the council’s commitment to preserving the venue’s cultural role. The council recently renegotiated its municipal usage agreement for the cinema and events hall, increasing the annual fee from €15,000 to €45,000 plus VAT.
“We intend to restore regular film screenings and continue events in the ballroom this month or by October at the latest,”
said Barrera, adding that the council is actively seeking private operators or public partnerships to take over the venue.
Cultural Legacy at Stake
The sisters emphasize the cinema’s deep cultural and emotional significance. Opened by their family, the complex has served as a key social and cultural hub in the Pyrenean capital. The events hall has hosted performances by notable artists such as Antonio Machín, Antonio Molina, and La Salseta del Poble Sec. Montse Guiu stressed that the closure is not permanent and that the operating licence remains valid. She and her sister hope a private operator or public body will step in to manage the space.
Broader Regional Decline in Cinema Access
The uncertainty surrounding Cinemes Guiu reflects a wider trend of cinema closures across the Lleida Pyrenees. The Puigcerdà cinema recently shut after 62 years of operation. Today, only Tremp and Vielha maintain functioning commercial cinemas in the region. The Consorci Gal Alt Urgell-Cerdanya previously supported the digitalisation of the Guiu’s projectors, acknowledging it as the only cinema in the comarca. The council continues to work on plans for a new municipal theatre, which Barrera insists would not conflict with the potential revival of the Guiu complex.
Reported by laciutat.cat, segre.com, cauc.cat, laseu.cat, La Ciutat.
