I have written to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport urging Ministers to reconsider the exclusion of cinemas from the recent £1.5bn capital funding package for cultural venues.
My letter follows concerns raised with me by the team at the Palace Cinema in Malton - our much-loved independent cinema.
Last year alone, the Palace welcomed more than 32,500 visits, supported local jobs, hosted community events and charities and provided an important social space for residents of all ages. Like many independent cinemas, it is facing rising costs and significant capital pressures.
Cinemas play a vital cultural and social role in market towns like Malton. They should not be overlooked when it comes to investment in our cultural infrastructure.
I have asked Ministers to clarify why cinemas were excluded from this funding and to consider how support can be extended. I look forward to meeting the Palace team next month to discuss this further and to continue making the case for fair funding on their behalf.
Full letter:
Dear Minister Murray,
I wanted to raise concerns regarding the recent DCMS announcement of £1.5 billion in capital funding for cultural venues - in particular the absence of cinemas from the scheme.
I have been contacted by the Palace Cinema in Malton in my constituency, a well-established independent cinema which plays a significant role in our North Yorkshire community. The cinema welcomed over 32,500 visits last year, employs local people, supports community events and charities, and provides an important social outlet for many older and retired residents in a rural town.
Independent cinemas like the Palace Cinema face rising costs and significant capital pressures and recent sector surveys suggest a substantial proportion may not be viable over the next few years without access to capital funding.
Given this context, I would be grateful if you could clarify the rationale for excluding cinemas from the current capital funding package and if the Department is considering either extending eligibility to cinemas or establishing a parallel scheme to support the sector.
I would welcome any further information you can share on DCMS’s engagement with the cinema sector and its future plans in this area.
I look forward to your response.
Kind regards,
Kevin
