Lifeline funding deals for Scotland's independent cinemas revealed
A host of Scotland’s most historic cinemas have been given a share of a £3.55 million rescue package to help them withstand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Dominion and Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Glasgow Film Theatre, Campbeltown’s Picture, the Newton Stewart Cinema, the Birks in Abe rf el dy, Aberdeen’ s B elmont and the Phoenix in Oban have all had life life support confirmed following months of upheaval and uncertainty.
Other cinemas to benefit from the resilience fund created by the Scottish Government in August including the Pavilion in Galashiels, the New Picture House in St Andrews, the Lonsdale in Annandale, Perth Play house and theBo’ ness Hippodrome.
Scotland’ s famous mobile cinema, The Screen Machine, which takes movies to some of the country’s most remote destinations, has received emergency funding.
The lifeline support expected to allow many long-standing cinemas to reopen for the first time since the coronavirus shutdown in the spring as it will help offset their reduced capacities and meet the costs of introducing social distancing measures.
Funding has also been secured by the operators of arts centres across Scotland to help secure the future of their cinemas, including An Lanntair in Stornoway, Eden Court in Inverness, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Stirling’s Macrob er t, Mareel in Shetland and The Tower in Helensburgh.
All cinemas in Scotland were forced to close their doors in March, along with the rest of the country’s performing arts venues, due to the spread of Covid-19. Although they were given permission to re open in July, it has been financially unviable for many. Others which have re opened have been forced to close this week due to the latest restrictions under the five-tier system.
The Glasgow Film Theatre received the largest award, £415,171, while the Centre for the Moving Image received £627,849 to help support the running of the Filmhouse and the Belmont.
Many venues to benefit from the cinema funding previously received emergency support to help them through the pandemic, including Eden Court in Inverness, the Macrober t in Stirling, and Shetland Arts, which runs the main arts centre on the Isle of Lewis.