The Phoenix Cinema in the Pickie Centre, Kirkwall is to benefit from £21,244 from the Scottish Government’s Emergency Fund.

Commenting James Linklater, Managing Director at the Pickaquoy Centre Trust said:

“We are delighted to have received this support from the Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund, which has been facilitated by Screen Scotland.

” This follows on from previous successful grant funding from the Scottish Government within the creative arts sector and these interventions have been vitally important in helping sustain the facility in the short term whilst allowing us to plan for the future.

“Cinema plays a huge roll within a remote community such as ours and this funding will allow us to provide a greater level of performance across a broad and diverse range of genres.”

The Pickaquoy Centre received funding previously Welcome News Funding Award for the Pickie Centre, Kirkwall to help it deal with the impact of Covid19 on the running of the facility.

The Phoenix Cinema  is among 30 independent cinemas and two touring operators serving communities  across Scotland to receive £3.55million from the Scottish Government’s Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund and The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland. 

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture said:

“We understand the severe impact this pandemic has had on businesses across Scotland, including our independent cinemas which play such an important role in communities across the country.  

“We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to re-open safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else and I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face.    

“Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis. This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.” 

To find out more information on the Pickaquoy Centre and what facilities are open visit their Facebook page: The Pickaquoy Centre

Sambrooke Scott, Head of Audience Development at Screen Scotland said:

“Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.  

“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of this Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow. By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.” 

Recipients of the Fund are: