Lifeline funding for two Fife cinemas revealed

The Kino, Glenrothes, and the New Picture House, St Andrews, were among 30 independent operators to get a total of £3.55m from Holyrood’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland.

The Kino was awarded £106.000, and the Picture House £87,000.

The crucial funding aims to bridge the immediate financial gap faced by independently owned cinemas as a result of COVID-19.

While some cinemas have re-opened, others faced a very uncertain future as they wait to welcome audiences back.

David Morris from the New Picture House said his business stood at a crossroads.

He said: “It was difficult to see any way we could viably reopen the business in the foreseeable future.

“Following the great news of the funding we are already planning to open our doors again very soon."

Mr Morris added: "This (funding) means so much to the cinema and staff and all involved.”

Lottery win for neighbours in Fife town

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture said the pandemic had hit cinema operators badly.

She added: “We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to re-open safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else.

“I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face. “

Sambrooke Scott, head of audience development at Screen Scotland said: “Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.

“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of this Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow.

“By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.”

Thank you for reading this article on our free-to-read website. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a subscription to our print newspaper to help fund our trusted, fact-checked journalism.

https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/nord/dm/FFP/V