Belmont Cinema Secures £100,000 from UKSPF Investment to Improve Entrance
The campaign to reopen Aberdeen’s Belmont Cinema has taken another major step
forward thanks to a £100,000 award from Aberdeen City Council, distributing the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The funding will support essential upgrades
to the cinema’s entrance, lobby, and kiosk areas.
Belmont Community Cinema Ltd - the charity leading the reimagining, refurbishment and reopening of the city centre cinema - will use the funding to create a more accessible, spacious and welcoming front-of-house environment. These improvements are designed to boost attendance, improve the visitor experience, and to support long-term sustainability as the venue moves closer to reopening.
Closed since 2022, the Belmont is set to return as a not-for-profit, community-focused
cinema at the heart of the city. Once operational, it is expected to welcome around
100,000 visitors each year, supporting Aberdeen’s cultural life, city centre economy, and
pride in place - while safeguarding the heritage of the C-listed building.
Matt Buchanan, Chief Executive of The Belmont Cinema, said:
“We’re grateful to Aberdeen City Council for continuing to prioritise this essential
project for Aberdeen’s city centre. We’re clear that this isn’t just about bricks and
mortar - it’s about unlocking the next chapter of Belmont's story.
This money will allow us to make improvements that make the cinema more
accessible and welcoming, taking us closer to returning it to public use - not as a
commercial chain that treats its customers like numbers on a spreadsheet, but as
a cultural space that puts the people of Aberdeen at its heart.”
Refurbishment plans - which charity bosses revealed they had won planning permission
last month - include redesigning the cinema’s frontage, improving wayfinding, and
enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities and families. The upgrades are also
expected to boost in-venue spending, supporting the cinema’s long-term financial
health.
Jacob Campbell, Chair of the Board of Trustees, added:
“This is a people-powered project - and the support from people, businesses, and
Aberdeen City Council has been nothing short of incredible. This funding helps us
take another big step forward towards our vision for the cinema - and our team are
determined to deliver a Belmont that reflects the ambitions of the city that’s
backing it.”
Belmont Community Cinema Ltd was formed in response to strong public support
following the cinema’s closure in 2022. The charity aims to reopen the Belmont as a
truly independent venue for Aberdeen, by Aberdeen, offering diverse films, festivals,
and educational programmes in partnership with other local organisations.
The award from Aberdeen City Council recognises the Belmont’s potential to drive city centre regeneration,
promote access to culture, and strengthen community cohesion - while preserving a
much-loved heritage site, well known across the city for showcasing the best of domestic
and world cinema.