Into my inbox today has dropped an email from Babylon ARTS with notice of their campaign to save the cinema at The Maltings in Ely.
The charity says it can no longer afford to subsidise the cinema and needs to raise an additional £17,000 in the coming year to ensure its survival. It notes the general tough trading in the UK, but also the competition from the new out of town cinema, and warns that in a few months the charity’s Board will be facing the difficult decision to close the cinema permanently.
My personal view is that this would be a huge loss, as the Maltings offers a range of films and screenings which the large commercial chains don’t. The cinema is part of Ely’s arts scene, which for many residents is one of the city’s main attractions and part of what makes Ely special. The reported decline in audience numbers following the opening of the leisure village is a further worrying indication of the hollowing-out of the centre of Ely by out-of-town developments.
To help sustain the Maltings cinema, Babylon ARTS are asking three things.
(1) Use the cinema at The Maltings more often – their April programme is online.
(2) If you can, consider pledging £100 to a cinema fund by 1 June; this will help pay towards the projector warranty and maintenance. You can download a pledge form here.
(3) Or you can make a donation here.
Alternatively, to pledge or donate you can contact office@babylonarts.org.uk, or call 01353 616991 10AM to 4PM Monday to Friday.
[Personal statement: I’m a subscribing member of Babylon ARTS, and an occasional user of the cinema, but have no financial interest in either.]
On it we must not loose this cinema so much goes out of town these days we will do all we can.
I agree, Arabella. It would be such a shame to lose the Maltings cinema. I also love the Luxe at Wisbech, and my brother used to live near the Kinema in the Woods at Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. It would hugely disappointing if the big commercial chains stamped out our independent film venue.
Babylon Arts’ programme at The Maltings is a vital part of Ely’s arts choices. The sound level is comfortable, and showings don’t stink of fizzy drinks, popcorn and hotdogs (with or without mustard/ketchup). The financial side of the programme of films is mostly propped up by the big “generation-targeted” showings, but special showings for mother/baby, visually handicapped and those with dementia have also been provided. I did, as it happens, go to a multiplex showing yesterday and it reminded me why THAT is such a rare thing for me. I prefer The Maltings’ experiance for all its difference, and so do many other people once they discover it! A higher publicity profile is what is really required. I happen to know that many more of its excellent A5 leaflets are printed than are distributed. If a “village representative” system could be established to .get those leaflets out into the main catchment area, it’s not an unreasonable objective to get the audiences up to an economic level.