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[Graham]

A 90-year-old cinema is reopening its doors after a long-running community campaign.

The Scala in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, was forced to close in December 2000 under the weight of repair bills.

But its screens will come to life again on Friday, after £3.5m was spent turning it into an arts centre.

Among those attending the celebrations will be Pat Smith, who has waited eight years to use cinema tickets she won in a raffle.

"My granddaughter came home from school with some raffle tickets, which I bought. I won two tickets to admit me into the Scala cinema," explained Mrs Smith.

"She kept saying to me 'when are we going to the cinema - when will we go?' and she is still waiting."

Her original tickets were valid until 2001, but the theatre shut its doors before she had chance to use them.

Her granddaughter is now 16, but on this special occasion the new cinema says it will honour the old tickets.

The original Scala first opened in 1913, after taking over the town hall in Prestatyn and could hold 400 people in its 1940s heydays.

The new arts complex boasts two digital film screen theatres, each seating 150 people, an IT media centre, a cafe and bar.

'Wow' factor

The success of the project is also a tribute to dedicated members of the Prestatyn community who refused to accept that the Scala would stay shut.

"When they threatened the fact that it was going to be disposed of, the people of the town were in uproar," recalled Sandra Pitt, chairperson of Friends of Scala.

"We decided to set up a small group to get it back, which is what we have done.

"We thought they would just do up the old cinema and we would have it safe again.

"But now we've got the 'wow' factor. It's not just a cinema and theatre, there's the IT media room, the cafe bar - it's a fantastic facility for such a small town.

"We never even dreamt of having this."

The whole project has been funded by the assembly government, the Arts Council for Wales, the Foundation for Sports and the Arts, the UK Film Council, and both the town and county council.

On Friday's opening night, the cinema has decided to show the Oscar-nominated Disney animation Bolt, and it will also be showing the award-winning Slumdog Millionaire in its first week.

Of course, one of the first in the queue will be Mrs Smith, who is delighted to finally use her tickets won in the raffle.

"To see it close was devastating, and to see it open will be nice. People have fought hard to get it open, and we need to use it," she added.

Source: View the original article with video interview at the BBC News website.

[Graham]

A glimpse behind the scenes at Scala

Published Date: 11 February 2009

THE wait is over for Prestatyn with the opening of the new look Scala Cinema and Arts Centre.
The Journal was given a backstage tour of the £3.5m arts mecca which opens this Friday and promises to bring not only popular and independent cinema to the Prestatyn but live theatre, streamed events, and music.

General Manager Chris Bond: "It is an absolutely amazing facility. From the front you see this small building and it isn't until you come inside that you realise it opens out." The new building features a large reception/box office area with tourist information point, one 160 seat cinema auditorium, one adaptable cinema/theatre auditorium, dressing room/green area, licensed cafe bar, two dedicated meeting rooms, one impromptu meeting area, plus multi-media rooftop education facility.
"It's a major achievement on the part of the architects/ designers (London-based architects and urban designers Burrell Foley Fischer LLP)to get not only one screen but two plus a generous-sized cafe bar on the same space occupied by the old Scala site.," explained interim general manager Peter McDermott.

The state of the art building replaces the original Scala, opened during 1913, and eventually forced to close in December 2000, due to the high cost of repairs needed. After years of wrangles and delays and after a concerted effort by campaigners construction of the new Scala began on February 2007.
The hope is that the new Scala will help regeneration and attract tourists to the resort town. But for its new General Manager the building with its contemporary styling and city vibe is simply: "a special place for the community".

Mr Bond, who describes himself as being involved with the theatre "all his life" including serving with the RSC, Repertory Theatre as well as in television with Granada and the BBC, said: "I see it as being a real community venue. It is a really diverse space. We have a wonderful cinema, plus a cinema and live theatre space, plus an amazing cafe bar where local people can meet and chat.

Mr Bond revealed his plans for the venue and hinted at what events the new look Scala could soon become synonymous with. "We need to make sure we always have something on that appeals to the people of Prestatyn. "As well as modern popular films we hope to bring Welsh language films, classic movies, live theatre, jazz nights and band evenings. Anything and everything. We need to make sure that we have something for everyone."

Source: Rhyl Journal

Original article in PDF format:
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