Cinema offers free films for children this summer
CHILDREN will be able to enjoy free cinema visits to Bacup’s ABD Centre over the summer holidays.
The launch of the cinema is one of many new events planned at the historic community building - the first in the town to receive a grant from the Bacup High Street Heritage Action Zone.
The £92,000 grant secured last year, led to internal and external improvements including fully accessible toilets and new windows.
Tenants had already moved into the centre in Burnley Road, which was built as a Liberal Club in 1892, but since the work has been completed even more have taken up residency.
Centre Development Manager Peter Dunn said: “This is a facility for the community and for the benefit of the community; everything we do here always has that uppermost in mind.
“We already had Bacup Family Centre on the top floor, but now we host Let’s Talk, a mental health charity, Salt and Stone, a massage studio and the
Neighbourhood Policing Team are moving in.
“Our cinema can seat 80 comfortably and is a very relaxed environment with crash mats for the children to sit on with their friends at the front; it is very family focused.
“The free summer cinema is our way of giving back and Bammy’s is also supporting the screenings by providing free drinks.”
Grown-ups also have their own cinema. A Mamma Mia night for over 16s was followed up with a disco, and on Friday, May 27 the cinema will be showing Death on the Nile.
A Craft Ale Festival will be held on Saturday, June 11 when Indii Brew Company will bring a range of ales and give presentations.
Community activities are held every day at the centre – from Slimming World to karate, tai chi to a new craft and art club. Bacup Camera Club has also made the centre its home between September and May.
Peter added: “We gained National Lottery funding which has enabled us to continue to invest in this building and to be community not profit-driven.
“If people want to set
up a group, then we will help and support them to get it up and running.
“Our volunteer base is growing and these volunteers help us to run events, work in the pop-up bar, meet and greet visitors and this enables us to keep the cost to the community down and helps people to feel a sense of ownership of what is their community centre.”
Anyone wanting to know more about activities, events and organisations at the centre can visit the Facebook page ABD Community Centre, call 01706 874111 or pop in for a chat.