PLANS are being finalised for the return of the big screen to Helensburgh after the town's only cinema received a welcome funding boost.

The Tower Digital Arts Centre has been closed since lockdown in March and founder Brian Keating said any potential re-opening before the end of this year was dependent on the success of an application for financial support.

As revealed in the Advertiser last month Mr Keating said he was awaiting the outcome of a bid for cash under the Scottish Government's Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund, delivered by Screen Scotland.

An update shared on The Tower's Facebook page today (Tuesday) said: "We are delighted to announce that we have been included as a recipient of the Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund from Screen Scotland.

READ MORE: Tower founder gives update on Helensburgh cinema's future

"This award ensures that we will be able to re-open and that the years spent building the facility for the community will not have been in vain.

"The Tower's cinema will now be in a position to cover its costs (heating, insurance, electricity, subscriptions, licenses and key staff) over the next six months and hopefully survive the challenges that the Covid virus has presented us with.

"We hope to be able to announce a re-opening schedule in the coming days which will see the big screen back in Helensburgh.

"Thank you for all the support and messages over the past six months, looking forward to seeing our loyal customers back in a safe and managed environment."

The Tower will receive a share of £81,328 from the £3.55m Screen Scotland pot, which will be used to "cover a proportion of venue fixed costs until the end of March 2021".

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