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Fundraising group for 110-year-old cinema disbands

Sarah Lilley & Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
Richard Knights/BBC A general view of the exterior of the Leiston Film Theatre. The upper half of the building has been built in a Tudor style. The bottom half has red beams and outlines along with the name of the theatre above its entrance.Richard Knights/BBC
The Friends of Leiston Film Theatre was set up in 1992 with the aim of improving the facility

A support group that has raised more than £150,000 for a county's oldest cinema will disband after 33 years.

The Friends of Leiston Film Theatre was set up in Suffolk in 1992 to help the town council - the owner of the cinema - fund repairs and improvements.

But the group recently announced it was calling it a day after struggling to find members to join its committee.

General manager of the cinema, Wayne Burns, explained the decision had "not been made lightly", but thanked the group for all their support.

Richard Knights/BBC Wayne Burns smiles at the camera while sitting inside the cinema on red chairs. He has short grey hair and wears black glasses with a black and red puffer jacket. Richard Knights/BBC
Wayne Burns said the theatre was grateful for The Friends' efforts over the years

Mr Burns, who has been with the cinema for 30 years, explained the group had struggled to find people to join its committee after older members stepped down back in 2023.

After a recruitment drive proved unsuccessful, the decision was made to shut the group down.

"As sad as it is, I also think it's a moment to reflect and celebrate on what the support club, then eventually The Friends, have achieved in that time," Mr Burns said.

"I honestly do believe it wouldn't be the venue it is today without [The Friends].

"Over the years they've contributed towards smaller items and some vast major projects."

Richard Knights/BBC A view of inside Leiston Film Theatre. A large screen can be seen at the front of the room with rows of red chairs for the audience. Members of the public are dotted about the chairs waiting for a film to start. Richard Knights/BBC
The theatre celebrated its 110th birthday last year

Mr Burns explained the "list was endless" for what the group had helped fundraise for over the years.

"The remainder of the funds have been pumped into new dressing room mirrors, a new closed caption system for the hard of hearing and the deaf, which is an incredible advancement for us - we're now one of only eight cinemas in the UK to have that, which is pretty remarkable for a little rural cinema," he added.

"[They've] left us with a legacy that we can thoroughly enjoy and will stand us in good stead."

While it may be the end of the group, Mr Burns said it was not the end of fundraising opportunities for the cinema.

The cinema has been owned by the town council since 1976 and celebrated its 110th anniversary in October.

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