It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

And now Keswick can boast its own movie mogul after Tom Rennie bought out the town’s cinema.

After 25 years of running the landmark, the 73-year-old has decided to become its owner.

Tom’s five year lease on the Alhambra was due to end in March and Graves (Cumberland ) Ltd offered him the chance to buy it.

The deal comes as Tom celebrates his 25th anniversary of being in charge of the 102-year-old picture house.

He has taken full ownership to ensure its future – under the control of his daughter Carol and her husband Alan.

Carol and Alan are currently living in Holland but plan to return to Keswick in the next 18 months and take over the running of the cinema.

Tom did actually refuse the first offer made by the Graves company.

But after talking with wife Sylvia, Carol and Alan, he changed his mind.

He explains: “My plan was to let the lease go, but Graves were concerned that the onus would fall on them to keep it running.

“I was surprised at their offer, did a lot of research and estimates and turned it down.

“They came back with a substantially reduced offer and it was a no-brainer.

“It is a cinema, it is a listed building and cannot be demolished and turned into something else

“I think Keswick would be poorer without it.

“Alan and Carol are very enthusiastic about taking it on. It is a very rewarding thing to do.

“People love to come here, especially visitors.

“They are blown away by their experience, especially if their only experience of the cinema is going to a huge warehouse chain.

“I would say 90 per cent of our income comes from visitors. A lot of local people view it as a visitor attraction, they forget it is in Keswick for the people of Keswick.”

Tom took over the management of the cinema back in 1991 and became leaseholder in 2011.

In that time he has turned around its finances and has built up a loyal local following.

But he points out there is still work to be done: “It would still be in a loss-making situation if it was not basically a family-run business with one or two members of staff to give me some time off.”

He says there will be no changes to how the cinema operates when he officially takes ownership on January 1.

“We will carry on as usual and when Carol and Alan return I will get them both in and start their training.

“I will phase out my time here and in 2018 I will retire properly – maybe!”