The complex, which will create around 20 new jobs, will reopen as a community cinema under a new leaseholder this week
A new curtain will mark a new dawn when a community cinema reopens later this week.
The Scala Cinema and Arts Centre in Prestatyn will be transformed into a “hub for the benefit of the community” with the creation of up to 20 new jobs.
Its delayed unveiling, set to take place on Friday, follows issues with paperwork and updating old equipment.
But the High Street complex is almost ready to impress with the introduction of Sony’s latest Digital Cinema 4K projectors and a new satellite for streaming live events.
New leaseholder, Rob Arthur from Aurora Leisure Ltd said his company’s takeover will mark a “new dawn” for the attraction, which suffered a tarnished past before closing down in January.
Today he engaged with members of the community during a series of public events to find out what people want from their cinema.
He revealed the venue will re-open “gradually from the bottom up” – starting with the box office and screens – while ideas for some of the other facilities are thrashed out.
He said: “Our intention is to ensure the Scala is a welcoming, vibrant and exciting addition to the High Street and is there to serve the community, providing exactly the kinds of entertainment and facilities for as many groups as possible. That is why we want to hold these public meetings so that we start off on the right foot from the word go.”
The Scala, which offers two 150-seat auditoria, live performance space, dining and conference facilities and a media suite, will become “more like a traditional cinema” with reasonably priced tickets and packages for families, pensioners and children.
The image quality will be four times better than the previous projection equipment and will also enable 3D and the booking of live events.
There are also plans for a film festival later this year and local projects will be showcased at the start of film screenings.
“It’s an absolute travesty that the Scala was closed but already, we’ve provided £125,000 of immediate investment and have allocated capital where we think it is needed,” said Mr Arthur, who has a prominent theatre-led background.
“We want to create something more engaging, different to what we already have here in the town.”
“It will probably take between six and nine months to get everything finished (upstairs cafe, bar, conference facilities) how we want them to be but we want to get it right.”
The 115-year-old building, which started life as a town hall, was saved from the scrapheap by passionate community campaigners, calling for it to be restored to its former glory after structural issues forced it to close in 2000.
In 2007, its future was safeguarded by what became the Friends of Scala group.
But the venue hit turbulent times and had outstanding debts of around £180,000 by the time it closed in January.
Cllr Bob Paterson, Mayor of Prestatyn Town Council, said: “The Scala is one of the most iconic cinemas in Wales and one of the main focal points on Prestatyn’s high street – we are looking forward to it reopening and welcome the work that Rob is doing to engage with the community. The Scala will become a central part of our town’s vibrant events’ programme so we are delighted it is in such good hands.”
Source: Daily Post news article 01.07.15 by Kelly Williams | Video courtesy of Daily Post