| Nearly 30 years after the Playhouse cinema closed its doors, The Montrose Picture House has been formed to develop plans for a full-scale cinema in the town, and a special screening has been organised at The Mitchell Centre on Friday evening to gauge support.
Anthony Baxter, who is behind the venture, has calculated that a cinema in Montrose would have a catchment area of 55,000 people and he is convinced a two- or three-screen cinema, complete with cafe/bar, would be commercially viable.
“Drive the 70 miles between Dundee and Aberdeen and there is no venue for film – it’s a sorry situation and one I hope to change,” he said. “Setting up a full-time cinema is an extremely expensive business. However, with the advent of digital cinema, costs will be brought down. We have had discussions with Angus Council, Scottish Screen and the UK Film Council about our proposals.
“With the right plan and the right approach, the dream could become a reality. It may be that a lottery- funded Film Society is the first step and I’m hoping film fans will come forward to lend their support to our campaign, starting on Friday.”
As well as going along to the show, people keen to see a cinema established can email their support by sending their name, address and phone number to: campaign@montrosepicturehouse.com.
“The petition will be used for future funding applications and to keep those interested in touch with developments,” said Anthony.
Friday’s screening is The Motorcycle Diaries, which reconstructs a journey through South America by Che Guevara before he became a revolutionary.
It is being brought to Montrose with the help of Cupar Initiative for the Arts, a lottery-funded film society which will bring along their digital projection system.
The venue in George Street can seat 250 people for films. It is the former St Andrew’s Church which is in line for a £5000 grant from the Church of Scotland to meet the cost of a feasibility study into its use as an arts centre and theatre. Unusually for a church, the Mitchell Centre has tiered seating which the organisers hope lends itself for the viewing of films.
The Links Hotel, Montrose, is offering filmgoers the chance to stay the night in the town after the showing, at a special discounted rate. Prices are £25 per person for shared rooms, and £35 for a single room, including full breakfast. A special dinner menu is also being offered. Doors will open at 7.30pm. The film will be shown at 8pm.
Anthony had one word of warning: “It might be an idea to bring a cushion for the viewing. Those old church pews could start to feel a little hard by the end.”
For more information call 01674 6174087 or 07740 422 396. Alternatively, people can email enquiries@montrosepicturehouse.com. |
