The Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton has been awarded more than £60,000 to assist its transition to digital cinema projection.
A total of £61,977 has been awarded to the centre under Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme (MTRP).
Match funding of £12,000 has been provided by the UK Film Council’s rural cinema pilot scheme and the remainder will be met through the centre’s own funds.
The money will fund the installation of digital cinema equipment in the Festival Drayton Centre, which it is hoped will attract more people to the centre and to Market Drayton.
Geoff Vernon, Festival Drayton Centre Chairman said:
“The switch to digital equipment is being dictated by the film industry and will happen ‘come what may’. Existing 35mm equipment will become commercially obsolete.
“This essential but costly transition is viewed as a great opportunity as it will allow the centre to keep pace with the very best in the cinema industry. The inclusion of 3D will further enhance our reputation as a credible venue and the installation of a satellite system will enable the centre to offer ‘Alternative Content’, entertainment from around the world, including live broadcasts of opera, ballet, theatre, music concerts and sporting events.
“This advance in technology will enhance our cinema operation and result in greater usage of the centre by our community and cinemagoers from outside the area. This will contribute to and more importantly maintain the long-term financial stability of the centre for many years to come.
“Above all, this project will see even more of our community involved, in addition to the current team of 90 volunteers and the 5,200 strong customer database.”
David Minnery, Shropshire Councillor for Market Drayton West, said:“I am really pleased that the leading entertainment venue in the town should be the first to benefit from this fund. This exciting development will help to increase the number of visitors and this in turn will help other local businesses.”
Roger Hughes, Shropshire Councillor for Market Drayton West, added:
“I am delighted to have been able to assist in securing this grant to upgrade the cinema facility for this, the best community facility in Shropshire.”
Under the MTRP £2.5m has been made available to help provide an immediate boost to the county’s six largest market towns – and a total of £425,000 has been allocated to Market Drayton.
By Joseph Masi