Whiteladies Picture House campaign halfway to funding target
A campaign group that wants to reopen a derelict cinema is over halfway to raising the funds it needs for surveys and concept designs.
The Whiteladies Picture House campaign is aiming to raise £10,000 and has had more than £6,000 pledged so far.
Its aim is to purchase and renovate the old cinema in Bristol into a community arts centre, consisting of a theatre, cinema and function room.
Its Kickstarter fundraising appeal has attracted 186 backers since 31 May.
The group wants to survey the Grade II-listed building to understand its history and how the building has been used in the past.
This information will be used to produce architectural plans for the group's future vision for the building.
David Fell, from the Whiteladies Picture House campaign, said: "We have currently raised over £6,000 and have seven more days to raise the remaining amount or all money will be refunded."
The original cinema was built in 1921 with a decorative tower, art nouveau exterior and marble columns and flooring, but has been vacant since it closed in 2001.
In March, developers who wanted to turn the cinema into a gym and flats had their appeal against refusal of planning permission rejected.
Medinbrand, who own the building after purchasing it from Odeon Cinemas, had proposed turning the building into six flats and the auditorium into a gym.