Fort William cinema now set to be rebuilt
After 12 years without access to the silver screen, hopes of re-establishing a cinema in Fort William have been given a major boost this week.
The former Studio Cinemas building in the centre of Cameron Square has been bought as part of a massive project to build a new two-studio cinema in the town, with construction expected to start early next year.
The man behind the project, Moidart entrepreneur Angus MacDonald, officially purchased the building on Friday August 10 from current proprietors DV8.
The 55-year-old from Roshven, who also owns The Highland Bookshop on the High Street, will take ownership of the building on September 28.
The plan is to completely demolish the current building and construct a new cinema complex on the site, which Mr MacDonald hopes will be the ‘most beautiful’ building in Fort William and the centrepiece of Cameron Square.
Although the architect is yet to be formally commissioned for the project, Mr MacDonald has said he has been impressed with early plans.
He explained: ‘The current proposal is to have a cafe-bar at the front of the building and two big screens at the back. The aim is to make it the most beautiful building in town.’
The current building replaced the old Fort William Town Hall, which burned down in 1975, and comprised a two-screen cinema and a tourist office.
Studio Cinemas eventually closed in 2006 and two years later the building was bought by Northern Irish fashion retailer DV8.
Mr MacDonald, who is solely funding the project without seeking public money, said the property was not
for sale when he approached the company to buy it.
Named Spear’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017, Mr MacDonald first made his name in the 1990s and 2000s by building two successful financial publishing firms.
Since returning to Lochaber he has set up the Moidart Trust, opened The Highland Bookshop and is now co-owner of the Highland Soap Company. He is also the author of the Ardnish series of novels.
He said: ‘I’ve had success in business and want to help my home town flourish. I feel strongly that a thriving cinema will add to the attraction of Fort William as a place to live and visit, providing an important evening and poor weather entertainment venue.
‘The site chosen for the cinema must be the best in town, a fantastic position for a gorgeous new building.’
Previous attempts to reinstate a cinema in Fort William have failed, not only at the Cameron Square site but at others around the town.
Mr MacDonald said he has arranged a meeting with Lochaber Cinema Group, the most recent group to campaign for a new cinema, and will ‘welcome their input’.
Asked about the commercial viability of his new project, he replied: ‘With 20,000 people living with an hour’s drive, and large visitor numbers, it should cover its costs.’ Lesley Benfield, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce added: ‘As the number of people staying in or moving to Lochaber grows in line with opportunity, so will the demand for amenities such as the proposed cinema in Cameron Square and other indoor facilities in Fort William.’