The switch to digital cinema has barely touched the consciousness of the public. Some may be aware of the hype surrounding 3D, while others may have seen an opera screened at the local cinema, but this is not a demand-led transformation.

The industry debate between those in favour, who hope to see greater choice, and opponents who fear more efficient domination of the Hollywood studios has rarely reached the public domain.

But the digital divide might become an ugly reality if large numbers of cinemas close. Stroll along any high street and see if you can spot the ornate frontage that was once a cinema.

The inability to evolve has killed cinemas before, and can again. The reasons are very simple. Proposals for sharing costs between cinemas, distributors and equipment makers just don’t scale down to single, independent cinemas. And that was true before the credit crunch.

Solutions to the problem should already have been discussed. Digital change happens quickly and the industry has been caught napping, in Britain and in Europe.

Some in the industry expected the big exhibitors to accept existing installation deals and hoped the Government would bail out the stragglers. After all, the UK Film Council has already paid for an initial 240-screen digital cinema network. But the Government has already ruled out any help.

The closure of cinemas would pose serious policy questions. Tax incentives are based on “cultural tests”. Taxpayers support films that tell our national stories and enrich our culture. Yet fewer screens can only mean reduced access to, and less production of, theatrical film.

The digital promise of diversity would be turned on its head.

Michael Gubbins is the Editor of Screen International magazine

Explore Film

• Film Reviews

• Trailers

• DVD

• Oscars

• Cannes

Editor's choice

• U2 at Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona
• The 50 Best Movie Villains
• The 15 golden rules of theatre etiquette