Paignton Picture House to be restored
Agatha Christie was one of its regular customers - but it's been closed since 1999
Last updated 30th Jun 2023
A disused cinema in Paignton that's been closed for almost a quarter of a century is going to be restored.
£284,730 from the Government is going to convert the Paignton Picture House into an independent cinema and performance venue.
The money's coming from the Community Ownership Fund, and will also see additional space for community education and creative workshops.
Last year we looked inside the building:
The cinema counted legendary thriller writer Agatha Christie as one of its regular customers in its heyday, but it's been closed since 1999.
Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison says, "This cash will help to restore the Paignton Picture House and give local people a great venue to take a trip to the cinema. "
"The heart of community life"
Josephine Brown, Project Director for the Paignton Picture House, says, “We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from the Community Ownership Fund. The grant will enable the Trust to bring this important historic building and much-loved community venue back into use.
“It emphasises the significant value that this project has an anchor regeneration project in the town centre, with a vision to be truly transformational for place-making locally.
“For over 100 years the building was at the heart of community life, and the grant brings the Trust one step closer in our ambitions to reopen the fully restored building within the next 18 months".
MP for Torbay Kevin Foster says, “This latest funding is great news and a boost for the Picture House Trust.
"Their work behind the scenes to produce a viable business plan, focused on developing a vision for the revitalisation of this building which will bring it back to life and make it once more a cultural hub for the town, has helped end two decades of dereliction and given made building a bright hope for Paignton’s future.”