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EastEnders star relaunches historical cinema

Hertsmere Borough Council Michelle Collins, Mayor Alpha Collins and Hertsmere Borough Council leader Jeremy Newmark stand in a line as the green ribbon is cut inside the Reel Cinema. Michelle holds the cut ribbon aloft in her right hand and her other hand is out in front of her with her mouth open in a celebratory way. She wears a black outfit with a white furry coat over the top and has blonde, shoulder length hair. To her right is a model of a Star Wars Storm Trooper. Mr Collins has his mayor's chain on over a brown suade coat and holds scissors and a microphone. Jeremy is clapping and wears a red tie, white shirt and dark suit jacket. Behind them is an exhibition about film and TV including "Albert Square" sign.Hertsmere Borough Council
Michelle Collins, who played Cindy Beale in EastEnders, appeared at the ribbon cutting ceremony at Borehamwood's Reel Studio 70 cinema

EastEnders star Michelle Collins has helped to relaunch a cinema that was saved from closure.

Last year, it looked like Reel Cinema in Borehamwood would have to close, until the town and borough councils stepped in.

The area was once home to six major film studios and still hosts Elstree Studios, Sky Studios Elstree and the BBC Elstree Centre, where EastEnders is filmed.

Hertsmere Borough Council leader Jeremy Newmark said "it was almost unthinkable that Borehamwood should be left without a cinema" given its industry connections.

The cinema has been refurbished and renamed Reel Studio 70, commemorating the historical Studio 70 cinema on Shenley Road that opened in 1936 and was demolished in 1981, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Screens are expected to be occasionally made available for community use as part of the deal to save the venue.

Hertsmere Borough Council The sign for the cinema seen from outside, it is on a cylindrical building which has a red sign at the top saying "the point". Reel cinema is below in blue on a white background, and below are hoardings advertising Hertsmere Borough Council Hertsmere Borough Council

To mark the cinema’s relaunch, an exhibition has been put on about the 110-year history of film and television at Elstree.

Among the items on show are MGM lettering from the tower at their studios, the model of Tower Bridge used in 2014’s Paddington in Peru, photos of King Charles’ visit to Elstree Studios in 1999, and a director’s jacket worn by Scooter on the set of The Muppets in 1976.

Deputy town mayor Dan Ozarow said many people had "come together to keep Hollywood in Borehamwood", including film industry workers past and present, students, TV stars, councillors and residents.

Hertsmere Borough Council The exhibition at the cinema. Framed photos on the wall sit next to a glass cabinet holding various items, including an Albert Square Sign, the MGM studio tower letters, a Muppet Show bag, and a Star Wars Millenium Falcon. A full sized Storm Tropper model stands next to the cabinet and there is a child behind it.Hertsmere Borough Council
The MGM studio letters are part of the exhibition which celebrates local connections with the international film industry

Mr Ozarow said the "spectacular exhibition" would "encapsulate both the historic heritage and current vibrancy of our film and television sector".

Mr Newmark said the relaunch was "fantastic for the town and the wider area".

"With such a proud film and television heritage, it was almost unthinkable that Borehamwood should be left without a cinema for our residents at the heart of the community," he added.

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