Groups unite to help town’s cinema

The meeting at Riverside School will be held next Thursday from 7.30pm and will also discuss how the cinema can be developed as an important asset for the town.

The Mayor of Hebden Royd, Robin Dixon, said: “With Fairtrade hot chocolate, friendly staff, homemade cakes and a chance to see unusual films as well as mainstream blockbusters, the Picture House has to be one of the country’s best independent cinemas.

“Although the Picture House isn’t directly under threat at the moment, local authority cuts could threaten it in the future.

“Now’s the time to start to think about securing its future.”

The meeting will propose the return of the Friends of the Picture House – the local group that successfully campaigned against plans in 1999 to redevelop the site.

The meeting is being called by a partnership of organisations, including Hebden Royd Town Council, Hebden Bridge Partnership, the Community Association, the Arts Festival, Ground Floor Project and the four rural parish councils.