The project to restore a Highland Perthshire cinema to its former glory has taken another step forward.
The board of the Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy has chosen its ideal candidate to bring its ambitious plans to fruition.
Paul Foley, originally from Glasgow, has been appointed general manager and will play a key role in getting the business operation up and running, as well as ensuring the facility is well received by locals.
”I’m incredibly excited at the possibilities the cinema presents,” Paul said.
”I am really looking forward to helping create a community cinema that everyone can engage with and get involved in.
”Have no doubts, this cinema will be state-of-the-art and show the best and latest films, but in addition to that we’re looking to provide as diverse and inclusive a programme as possible and to offer something a bit special, compared to the city multiplex experience.
”Cinema allows us to step into other universes and brings a little magic into our lives; hopefully the Birks can bring some of this to Aberfeldy and the whole of Highland Perthshire.”
Until the restoration is completed, he will work from the temporary Friends of the Birks Cinema offices in the Locus Centre and can be contacted by emailing office@birkscinema.co.uk.
The chairperson of the Birks Trading Company, Charlotte Flower, said they were ”delighted” to welcome Paul on board and were confident his experience would take their vision forward and help deliver a successful cinema.
She added: ”We look forward to delivering a high-quality experience for local people and visitors alike and making a trip to the new Birks cinema a must for anyone visiting the region.”
The scheme to breathe new life into the disused Art Deco building in the centre of Aberfeldy has captured the hearts of both local residents and Hollywood stars.
Opened in 1939, the Birks Cinema remained in its original use until the 1980s, before becoming an amusement arcade.
The building was then acquired by the Friends of Birks Cinema in 2005, with the ambitious mission of seeing it once again showing films.
The group behind the project even boasts X-Men actor Alan Cumming as its patron, as well as receiving support from Oscar-winner Emma Thompson.
Over the past few months, it has also attracted the attention of locals, and membership of the Friends of Birks Cinema group now stands at more than 450 people.
It faced uncertainty last year when it was pledged £658,620 from the Scotland Rural Development Programme, but only on the proviso that this funding was matched within 12 months.
Despite receiving a total of £200,000 from Creative Scotland and SSE’s Griffin Community Fund, it was only after the deadline had passed that the group received a timely boost of almost £540,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
Within a matter of weeks of smashing its fundraising target of £1.8 million, the Friends of the Birks Cinema announced that Aberuthven firm, Hadden Construction would carry out the restoration, which is due to be completed by spring next year.
When the refurbishment is completed, the Art Deco building will feature a 101-seat screen, a digital system for showing films, capacity for live broadcast links, and a caf bar.
The auditorium will also have the flexibility to serve as a venue for live performances and talks, as well as film, and the cinema will be run as a community enterprise that will, it is hoped, become an arts hub for the area.
Updates on the cinema’s progress can be found at birkscinemafriends.org.uk.