Ask our MSPs to prioritise The Belmont Cinema in the Scottish Budget
Between now and the Scottish Budget on Wednesday 4 December, we are encouraging our Belmont Community to write to our Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) and to Cabinet Ministers asking them to prioritise the refurbishment and reopening of The Belmont Cinema.
We all know the positive impact a reimagined Belmont will have for Aberdeen’s city centre and our city’s cultural scene – but we need MSPs to prioritise that in their next budget.
Writing a letter, sending an email, posting a video on social media and tagging your MSP – whatever it is you do, you need to make sure you do three things:
Tell your MSPs why the refurbishment and the reopening of The Belmont Cinema matters to you – using your own words where possible can be really powerful!
Tell them they need to make sure that the Scottish Government prioritises funding for The Belmont Cinema Project in the 2025-26 Budget.
Tell others in your friend network to do the same thing – but make sure to do all this before Wednesday 4 December (Budget Day)!
You can see a draft letter below to give you an idea of what you might want to write to your MSPs and to Cabinet Ministers.
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Draft Letter
Subject: Support for Refurbishing and Reopening The Belmont Cinema
Dear [Name of MSP],
I am writing as your constituent to urge you ensure there is funding for the refurbishment and reopening of The Belmont Cinema in the Scottish Government’s Budget on Wednesday 4 December.
This vital cultural institution has been a cornerstone of community life in Aberdeen for years, and its revival is essential for our region’s cultural, economic, and social wellbeing.
I believe that the reopening The Belmont Cinema will:
Strengthen Aberdeen’s cultural identity – The Belmont has long been a hub for diverse films and events, enriching lives and elevating the North East’s cultural landscape.
Drive footfall to nearby businesses, creating jobs and supporting local enterprise, boosting the local economy.
Enhance community wellbeing, acting as a space for connection, creativity, education and learning, bringing people together to share stories and new ideas.
Support sustainability goals with eco-friendly renovations - The Belmont Cinema can serve as a model of sustainable redevelopment, aligning with Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.
As your constituent, I am asking you to make sure the Scottish Government prioritises funding for the Belmont Project in the 2025-26 Budget. Specifically, I am urging you to:
Secure cultural funding, ensuring that The Belmont Cinema’s refurbishment and reopening is supported by this budget
Recognise Aberdeen’s cultural needs and highlight the importance of this project for the North East’s cultural and economic future.
Work with the charity, Belmont Community Cinema Ltd, to ensure the effective delivery of funding for refurbishment works.
The reopening of The Belmont Cinema will restore a cherished institution that enriches the lives of many of your constituents, while contributing to a sustainable, thriving future for our city.
Please keep me updated as to how you plan to support this effort. Your leadership could make a lasting difference for our community.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
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Below, we have listed the constituency MSPs for Aberdeen, the Regional List MSPs for the North East Region, and the addresses for the relevant Cabinet Secretaries.
We would encourage you to write to as many of them as you can, making your feelings known about what refurbishing and reopening The Belmont Cinema would mean to you.
MSP Addresses
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Kevin Stewart MSP – kevin.stewart.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 1 Pitstruan Pl, Aberdeen AB10 6PQ
Jackie Dunbar MSP – jackie.dunbar.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: Mastrick Shopping Centre, 12A Greenfern Pl, Aberdeen AB16 6JR
Audrey Nicoll MSP – audrey.nicoll.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 51 Victoria Rd, Aberdeen AB11 9LS
Scottish Conservative and Unionist
Liam Kerr MSP – liam.kerr.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 80 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2XN
Douglas Lumsden MSP – douglas.lumsden.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 80 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2XN
Tess White MSP – tess.white.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 80 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2XN
Maurice Golden MSP – maurice.golden.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 80 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen AB25 2XN
Scottish Labour
Michael Marra MSP – michael.marra.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Mercedes Villalba MSP – mercedes.villalba.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP
Scottish Greens
Maggie Chapman MSP – maggie.chapman.msp@parliament.scot
Postal Address: 10 Panmure Street, Dundee DD1 2BW
Ministerial Email Addresses
Shona Robison MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government)
Email: CabSecFLG@gov.scot
Postal: Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, The Scottish Government, St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG
Angus Robertson MSP (Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture)
Email: CabSecCEAC@gov.scot
Postal: Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, The Scottish Government, St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
John Swinney MSP (First Minister of Scotland)
Email: FirstMinister@gov.scot
Postal: First Minister, The Scottish Government, St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG