Major new move in Paignton cinema restoration

Decision on council funding for historic building

The project to return a historic Devon cinema to its former glory will take a major step forward this week.

Torbay Council’s cabinet committee is expected to pledge £2.5million worth of support for the project to restore the Paignton Picture House when it meets on Tuesday evening.

Councillors are being recommended to agree to spend £900,000 from the government’s Future High Streets fund on the project, as well as underwriting the delivery of the rebuild themselves to the tune of £1.6million.

The decision will mean work can continue on the restoration of what is reputedly the oldest surviving purpose-built cinema in Europe, and a venue that was once the favourite of Agatha Christie.

The council’s move comes in response to a request from the Paignton Picture House Trust, which has set out to raise the funds itself, only to be set back by escalating costs and a strict deadline.

In a letter to the council, trust chairman Paul Hawthorne said his team believed a year ago that the funding was in place, but rising costs and inflationary pressures meant a ‘gap’ had opened up.

The Arts Council has agreed to funding for the rebuild, but says it needs to see the rest of the money in place before it does, and the trust says it cannot meet the target from its own fundraising within the tight timescale available.

As a result, it needs the council to underwrite its fundraising efforts so the Arts Council will release the crucial cash.

Cabinet members will vote on joining a ‘tripartite’ agreement with the trust and the Arts Council to ensure the project goes ahead. 

A report to the cabinet says the council will keep a ‘robust’ eye on the costs of the cinema rebuild, while the trust will have the right to oversee and challenge any council decisions if it needs to.