An event this month will give the Angus public a chance to etch their name into the fabric of a new cinema.
The Montrose Playhouse team are embarking on a reward-based crowdfunding programme through which people in the community and businesses can further support the building they have helped open.
The dedicated team led by designer David Paton was recently awarded £2.26 million from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant fund to make the vision a reality.
The team are currently busy working on putting the main contract out to tender and obtaining further funding to reach their £3.25million capital and revenue funding target.
Mr Paton said: “A large part of this funding is expected to come from the reward based funding scheme which we are about to launch on Sunday June 23 at Montrose Town Hall.
“Known as ‘The Fellowship of the Playhouse,’ the sponsorships on offer will allow members of the community and businesses to put their own stamp on the Playhouse and become a part of Montrose’s proud history.
“The sponsorship options include engraved bricks or blocks in the front boulevard, seat sponsors, names on the wall of fame and other business and corporate sponsors which are open to everyone.
“A limited number of each option will be released on our launch day and each person who makes a sponsorship purchase on that day will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 tab at the Reel Café Bar when we open.
“The community is invited to come along, view some of the items of offer, discuss options and be one of the first to sponsor the Playhouse on the launch day.
“A PDF brochure will be available to download from our new website which will also be launched on June 23.”
In late 2012 the swimming pool on The Mall became surplus to requirements and Mr Paton went to work in redesigning the building to bring cinema back to the town.
The team secured the old swimming pool for £1 before a ‘DIY SOS’ strip out of the building followed in 2017 to take it back to its bare bones.
The fundraising and launch event will also include screenings of Aladdin and Rocketman with tickets available now.
Bridgeen Johnston, store director at Specsavers in Montrose, said: “We are incredibly excited to be the main sponsor at this fantastic launch event and screening.
“The Montrose Playhouse Project is a fantastic venture for the local community so we are delighted that we can offer our support.”
