WESTWAY Cinema has received a £42,000 boost from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
The independent cinema is one of 201 cinemas across England that has received support from a £30million pot allocated by the British Film Institute (BFI), on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
The grant was awarded shortly before Christmas, and Westway Cinema owners Pat and Beryl Scott have explained that the money will help cover ongoing running costs.
Speaking to Frome Times, the couple said, “This grant will help us to cover the rent and the rates. Since we reopened it has been very difficult because of the limits on the number of people we can have in the cinema. People need to be sat two metres apart – our screens have 65 seats, and we’ve only been able to get 24 people into those screens.
“And the lack of big film releases has also proved difficult – we’re lucky that some of the smaller film companies have been able to supply new films for us to screen.
“And we must say a big thank you to the people of Frome who have really shown their support to us whilst we have been open.”
Due to the national lockdown, Westway Cinema is currently closed until further notice. “We understand why these restrictions are necessary,” said the couple, “People’s health is important.”