EDINBURGH’S iconic Filmhouse cinema is set for a new lease of life following a refurbishment project carried out by Clark Contracts.
Completion of the £2 million revamp comes almost three years after the cinema was forced to close due to the collapse of its previous owner. The work was completed following the success of the Edinburgh Filmhouse charity’s ‘Open the Doors!’ crowd-funder campaign, supported by the public which raised over £324,000.
The project also received funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund, The City of Edinburgh Council, and Screen Scotland/Creative Scotland, along with donations from A-list film stars.
Clark Contracts completed works to the building fabric and delivered upgrades to the cinema screens with new seating, enhanced leg room, and better sightlines across all three screens. A fourth screen was also created.
The accessibility of the B-listed building was also reviewed, with the formation of ground level access into screen 2. Other works included the improvement of acoustics and heating/ventilation, along with the renovation of the public toilets and refurbishment of the café-bar and foyer areas to increase space and light.
Andrew Simpson, executive director of Filmhouse, said, “The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond.
“We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future, and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. Filmhouse belongs to its community, and we’re excited to welcome people back.”
Gerry Cummins, director at Clark Contracts, added, “It is fantastic to have been involved in this refurbishment and to breathe life back into the iconic Filmhouse. Throughout the works we recognised the importance of the historic features of the building and worked closely with Filmhouse and the wider design team to bring these plans to fruition. We hope that the community enjoy these new facilities for years to come.”
