Introduction to Keighley Picture House
The Keighley Picture House, a historic cinema in Keighley, has been a landmark for over 100 years. Recently, the building was put up for sale, sparking concerns among the community about its future. A community campaign was launched to protect the cinema, and after a planned auction was discontinued due to strong public backlash, the city council and activists began exploring ways to secure the building.
The Community’s Vision
Beverly Bottomley from The Friends of Keighley Picture House stated that the ultimate goal is for the community to own the cinema directly and turn it into a "hub" for various projects and events. The community hopes to list the cinema as a community asset, which would allow the city council to buy it immediately. The Bradford Council officers will make a decision about the local offer later this month.
The Importance of Community Control
The Keighley city council emphasized that the cinema is a historic building, and its future as a cinema could be at risk if it is sold to a private owner. The council believes that local control would help ensure that the building remains an asset and entertainment venue for the community. However, the council also warned that community ownership would generate rental income but also include loan repayments and potential future costs if the current tenant were to leave.
Progress and Support
Surveys on the building’s condition have already been carried out, and activists have collected commitments for financial support as part of a broader fundraiser. A petition controlled by local MP Robbie Moore collected over 5,000 signatures and was presented to the Commons last week. The friends of Keighley Picture House continue to run a Gofundme page to support the project, with the collected funds going towards maintenance, repairs, modernization, and the long-term goal of community ownership.
A Hub for the Community
Beverly Bottomley stated that she and her colleagues believe the building has the potential to become a hub for a wide range of groups, including Bollywood and Ukrainian film screenings, as well as the return of a once-popular children’s film on Saturday mornings. The community wants to bring in as many groups as possible and use every part of the cinema, not just for blockbusters, but for every kind of group that wants to get involved. The goal is to make the cinema a community-based project and bring people together.
The Future of Keighley Picture House
The final ambition of the Friends Group is for the city council to buy the site with public funds, and then for the community to gradually buy it back in parts, regardless of the council’s involvement. The community is determined to save the Keighley Picture House and turn it into a thriving hub for the community. With continued support and fundraising, the future of this historic cinema looks promising.
