Home / Arts and Entertainment / Cinema's Grand Reopening Nears After Funding Boost
Cinema's Grand Reopening Nears After Funding Boost
13 Jun
Summary
- A historic cinema closed since 1999 has secured new funding.
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £249,127 for restoration.
- The cinema aims to become a community hub for films and events.
A significant funding injection of £249,127 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is propelling the restoration of the Grade II* listed Paignton Picture House towards its reopening later this year. The cinema has been closed since 1999.
This latest grant follows a substantial investment of £675,246 from Historic England, which supported essential stabilization and architectural restoration after the building was placed on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2013.
Trustee Julian Carnell expressed excitement, calling it a "hugely significant moment" for Torbay. The funds will enable the recruitment of key staff and the establishment of operations, preparing the venue for its community-focused revival.
The picture house, which opened in 1914 and once hosted Agatha Christie, will also launch an outreach program with pop-up screenings and heritage workshops across Torbay.
Stuart McLeod of the National Lottery Heritage Fund highlighted the cinema as a "remarkable example of the UK's cinema heritage," anticipating its transformation back into community use.
