Last year, hundreds of local residents fed ideas into consultations that created a Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan – all driven by Cupar’s Development Trust. One of the ‘top three’ projects most requested by the public was a Community Cinema to “enhance the evening economy within Cupar” and to “support local young people with indoor recreation options“.

And now those requests for support are coming to fruition with the launch of a Community Cinema pilot that will be hosted at the town’s Corn Exchange. We caught up with Anja Amstrong, CDT’s Development Officer, to discover more …

After the overwhelming calls for a community cinema, Cupar Development Trust sought and won a grant to buy an 86 inch flat-screen that will allow the launch of a pilot project for a small-scale trial. Anja explains: “The success and future will all depend on support and numbers. If we can build a good client base through this year, we hope to get a grant to install a proper, large screen and ceiling mounted projector in the Corn Exchange. This is one of our Local Place Plan proposals based on feedback received during the 2023 public consultation.”

July will see the start of monthly screenings in the Corn Exchange. Anja says: “There will be a mix of family film matinees during the school holidays together with evening films aimed at older audiences. We hope to partner with local eateries – cafes, pubs and restaurants – to help advertise the events and encourage pre-showing drinks and meals to support Cupar’s evening economy.”

Just the ticket!

When the screenings are announced, tickets will be available to buy online through the Eventbrite platform – and they will be modestly priced to cover costs. What will be shown is very much down to you – those who live and work in and around Cupar.

The first screening is planned for Saturday 13th July and will be a family film matinee.

If you have suggestion of what that film should be, please email Anja via this link.

As with all Cupar Development Trust projects, any profits generated will be ploughed back into developing other community initiatives featured in the Community Action Plan and Local Place Plan.

Anja concludes: “The screen will also be available to hire – for a small fee – for users of the Corn Exchange wishing to use it for presentations and lectures.”

 

Thanks for reading!