Main contractor for community cinema project appointed

MONTROSE Playhouse has reached another key milestone with the appointment of a main contractor to convert the town’s former swimming pool into a multi-million-pound community cinema.

North-east-based Bancon Construction Ltd will carry out the works on The Mall building to create a three-screen cinema and community arts centre in the volunteer-led project which it is hoped will be open in early 2021.

As part of the Playhouse contract, the Banchory firm will be taking on three local apprentices to add to the eight staff it already has from Montrose and Angus within its 90-strong workforce.

Bancon Construction managing director Gavin Currie said: “Montrose Playhouse Project (MPP) is an exciting community initiative for the benefit of local people and we are honoured to have been awarded the contract to redevelop the building into an arts and education hub.

“MPP has been working hard on stripping out the building to get it ready for conversion.

“Our scope of work includes creating a threescreen cinema, education and exhibition spaces, a retail space and cafe bar.

“We have considerable experience of working with old buildings, such as our current work transforming Aberdeen Science Centre, which was once a tram shed, into a centre fit for the 21st Century.

“The team is very much looking forward to getting started on the project and carrying out this transformational work to create a lasting facility for the community in Montrose.”

The Playhouse team has also announced the first business sponsors for the project in Montrose Rope & Sail, Specsavers Montrose and Scott Alexander Solicitors.