Seafront cinema plan for Cromarty
A NEW cinema could bring a financial and cultural boost to the Black Isle.
The cinema, on the seafront in Cromarty, would serve as a base for the town’s hugely popular film festival.
Cromarty Estate, which owns the land, has lodged the application in partnership with Cromarty and Resolis Film Society, which would act as its tenant.
The plans feature two elements. The first is the cinema, which would be built on land close to the ferry slipway and next to an existing boat storage shed.
It would seat roughly 30 people and host weekly screenings throughout the year, rising to twice a week in the summer. It would also be used to help house Cromarty’s growing film festival, which attracts fans and famous faces from across the country every autumn.
Cromarty Estate also plans to build an office hub alongside the cinema in a bid to cater for growing business demand in the town.
A statement submitted by Cromarty Estate said: "Cromarty has a thriving entrepreneurial community but this is not matched by suitable office accommodation, with the result that many find themselves having to move their business bases from Cromarty to Dingwall, Tore or Inverness when they outgrow their own homes, with the resulting loss of employment opportunities in the town.
"Addressing this need... will make Cromarty a more balanced and sustainable community."
Film society trustee Tanya Karlebach said the group was "really excited" to reach this milestone and the move would help increase the frequency of screenings in Cromarty.
She added that there is still some fundraising to do before the £240,000 cost of the venue is covered, but that by lodging the application now, they are hopeful permission will be in place to begin as soon as the target is met.
They hope to hear about their remaining grant applications and other fundraising by late autumn.
She added the society had opted for a new-build because none of the existing sites in Cromarty were suitable for conversion. They would also have cost more to take on than building a cinema from scratch.
"We hope the community is supportive," she said. "We’ve had positive feedback so far and it’s in a great location down by the ferry."
A survey of Cromarty residents found that 82 per cent backed a cinema in the town and the same number would go to more screenings if the venue was better than what is currently on offer.
The plans for the cinema and office hub have won support from a leading Highland business figure.
David Richardson, the Federation of Small Businesses’ Highlands and Islands development manager, said the organisation "wholeheartedly supports locally-managed collaborative ventures that make our small rural communities even better places to live, especially for the young people and families that we desperately need to retain and attract.
"Cinemas appeal to all ages and to locals and visitors alike, and they can also be great social hubs.
"Equally, the presence of purpose-designed office space can do much to encourage would-be entrepreneurs to take the plunge and start new businesses; existing small business to expand; and to attract businesses from outside to relocate."
It approved the buildings would feature dark metal cladding to the walls of the cinema, with timber cladding on the office hub.
Construction could start as early as spring next year.
To donate to the cinema project go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cromartycommunitycinema
