Prestatyn's Scala Cinema (Credit Daily Post March 2015)

Daily Post: Prestatyn’s Scala cinema set to reopen under new management

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Prestatyn's Scala Cinema (Credit Daily Post March 2015)
Daily Post: Prestatyn’s Scala cinema set to reopen under new management

Scottish company Aurora Leisure named as preferred bidder to take over cinema, which closed in January after a long battle to try to save it

Prestatyn's Scala Cinema (Credit Daily Post - March 2015)

Prestatyn’s Scala Cinema (Credit Daily Post – March 2015)

A cinema closed in January after a long battle to try to save it is set to reopen under new management.

Denbighshire council has picked a preferred bidder to take over Prestatyn’s Scala, which closed last month amid a cash crisis.

Scottish company Aurora Leisure, which has experience of running community cinemas, could reopen the Scala as soon as April.

James Davies, councillor for Prestatyn East and Conservative candidate for Clwyd West, said: “It’s very good news because the Scala is a much valued community facility and the community, including myself, worked hard to get it built.

“We all know that it can be a success and, with a good business model operating, I’m convinced it will provide the cinema and arts facilities we all want.

“We’re all desperate for it to reopen as soon as possible.

“Aurora Leisure have a network of community cinemas, which is key.”

Rob Arthur, who runs Aurora Leisure and was previously managing director of Apollo Cinemas, has extensive experience in Taiwan, Portugal, Romania, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Cllr Huw Jones, Denbighshire’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “I am really pleased to welcome Aurora Leisure Ltd, under the expert guidance of Rob Arthur, to our county and more specifically to the Scala.

“The company has a proven track record of turning around the fortunes of struggling community cinemas, and of providing exactly the community focussed facility we want to see coming here and thriving for the residents of Prestatyn and visitors from further afield.”

Aurora Leisure Ltd reopened a cinema in Thurso – the UK mainland’s most northerly town – after a successful community campaign to support the development of digital cinema.

It runs the cinema as well as conferences, community events, a bar and a kitchen, and has won several awards.

Aurora is also set to reopen one of the UK’s oldest cinemas, the Picture House in Campbelltown, which first opened in 1913.

Source: Daily Post News Article 05.03.15 by Josh Morris