Community cinema set to reopen in two months

A community cinema which closed last year is set to reopen in two months after a campaign raised tens of thousands of pounds.

Charity Maona Art has been trying to raise £54,000 to reopen the old Kinokulture cinema in Oswestry, Shropshire, after it shut in April 2024.

The campaign has so far raised more than £28,000 and the charity is aiming to hold a "soft opening" at the start of June.

The Oswestry Film Society (OFS), which would be involved in the scheduling, said the cinema would initially screen films from Thursday to Sunday.

It said the old plush seats from Kinokulture would remain and other areas like the cafe-bar and kitchen would be upgraded over time.

Chairman James Bond said: "The loyal and enthusiastic audience that's supported us has shown there's definitely a desire for big-screen cinema in Oswestry."

The society has been hosting live cinema nights at the Hermon Chapel arts centre on Wednesdays since Kinokulture closed.

The cinema had been open for 14 years before its owners, Ian Garland and Ruth Carter, announced their retirement last year.

Following the launch of Maona's campaign to reopen the site, director Tatenda Jamera said public interest had been "very positive".

"Some people are saying cinema is dead," he added. "Cinema is never going to die. Cinema is getting stronger. It's more than watching a film."

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