Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Montrose Playhouse: No time to linger as team behind new cinema eye James Bond blockbuster opening

Montrose Playhouse project chairman David Paton and secretary Kristin Alexander inside the old main pool area.
Montrose Playhouse project chairman David Paton and secretary Kristin Alexander inside the old main pool area.

Montrose film fans are in for a blockbuster end to 2021 as work on the town’s multi-million pound community cinema enters a crucial stage.

A year on from Bancon Construction contractors moving in to begin the transformation of the old town swimming pool, the three big screens at the heart of the cultural hub are beginning to take shape within The Mall building.

Montrose Playhouse project volunteers are confidently targeting an October opening for the realisation of their eight-year dream.

The foyer area of the original swimming pool.

And they hope local movie buffs will be in for a treat with the early screening of big franchise films which were delayed by the coronavirus crisis.

In 2015, the Playhouse group struck a community asset transfer deal for the 59-year-old building.

Volunteers spent thousands of hours stripping it out before contractors moved in a year ago.

The main pool area will house three screens and soundproofing work for two of them, a 150-seat and a 110-seat, has begun.

An artist’s impression of the finished cinema and community arts centre.

Playhouse project chairman David Paton said: “We really feel we have reached an exciting stage now with what will become the three screens beginning to take shape.

“It’s not just about the cinema, the social side of the project is hugely important and we have a number of programmes we are already planning to make sure this is a community hub which people can access.

Soundproof insulation is going on the main area which will house the three cinema screens.
Sponsorship opportunities

“We have raised about £2.9 million and to finish the capital project we are looking at finding around another £550,000.

“It is difficult just now with the pandemic situation, but we have received terrific support from the community and businesses and there are many opportunities to support us, through sponsorship and other ways.”

Big film franchises planning late-2021 releases

It is hoped the building will be complete in August, ahead of opening in October.

Mr Paton added: “There is a multitude of blockbusters waiting in the wings after being delayed because of the pandemic.”

They include No Time To Die – the 25th James Bond film – now scheduled for release in early October.

“It would be amazing to open with one of the biggest movie franchise there is,” said Mr Paton about the prospect of Daniel Craig’s fifth outing as 007 being a debut offering.

The front of The Mall site.

Banchory-based Bancon Construction managing director Gavin Currie said: “Despite the challenges of Covid-19 the project is now at a transformational stage.

“Demolitions and roof repairs are complete which have allowed the commencement of the acoustic walls to form the three cinemas.

Montrose cinema transformation work start date announced

“The building is now starting to look more like a cinema every day.

“We are delighted not only at the building coming to life but the strong community support and involvement we continue to receive.”

The project has received more than £2m from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund in a working partnership with Angus Council and almost £100k from Screen Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund to kit out the cinemas.