Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for MSP support of the reopening of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy.
Aberfeldy has been without a cinema since the early 1980’s and the Birks site had been closed since 2004. However, thanks to the endeavours of the “Friends of the Birks Cinema Group” who managed to raise over £1.8 million residents of Aberfeldy will no longer have to travel 60 miles to see the latest blockbuster.
Motion attached below:
Reopening of the Birks Cinema
That the Parliament welcomes the reopening of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy; understands that the venue has been empty since 2004 and that Aberfeldy has been without a cinema since the early 1980s; recognises that residents of Aberfeldy face a 60-mile round trip to their nearest cinema; praises the efforts of what it considers the hardworking Friends of the Birks Cinema group, who have managed to raise £1.8 million since 2005 to facilitate its reopening; considers that, without the hard work of local volunteers, this project would never have been possible; understands that the state-of-the-art 100-seat digital 3D cinema with accompanying café bar will greatly boost the tourist appeal of the town as well as providing local residents with a great facility to watch the latest blockbusters, and wishes the venue and its staff every success in the future.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“This project is demonstrative of what communities can achieve if they work together.
“Prior to its opening Aberfeldy residents faced a 60 mile round trip to their nearest cinema, now that journey is set to become a whole lot shorter.
“The 100 seat state-of-the-art cinema and café bar will provide Aberfeldy with a focal point for both residents and tourists, and combined with the Birnam Arts Centre and Pitlochry Festival Theatre helps create a triangle of arts and culture in Highland Perthshire.
“Local businesses can also expect to feel a bounce from the Birks reopening, with visitors spending more time in town and residents no longer travelling to other destinations for leisure activities.”