The owner of a trendy Aberdeen cafe has revealed plans to buy Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse – and save the 20 jobs lost.
Craig Thom, who runs Faffless, leapt into action as soon as the devastating news emerged on Thursday morning.
Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), the parent charity behind it, closed the Belmont and two other filmhouses amid the “perfect storm” of rising costs and reduced trade.
The Belmont Street cinema’s demise, after battling to survive Covid, came as gut-wrenching news for Aberdeen film fans.
And it even sparked action from Nicola Sturgeon to see what support can be offered to devastated workers.
Craig could race to rescue in record time
But one local 25-year-old entrepreneur has already been in touch with administrators – with a plan to turn the shuttered arts haven into a combined restaurant and cinema.
And should his vision for the fallen institution come to life, he would want to re-employ as many of the former employees as possible.
It is Craig’s understanding that his scheme to revive the Belmont is already considered the “top option” to secure its future.
What is Faffless owner’s idea for the Belmont?
Craig had already been in talks with cinema management about taking over the kitchen and bar on the lower ground floor.
The axe fell on the beloved cinema just days after an experimental “Faffless at the Movies” pop-up weekend there proved a roaring success.
The closure came so suddenly that Craig hasn’t even been able to go back for the crockery left behind.
He explained the purpose of the pop-up was to test the market for a possible takeover of the cinema’s long-unused kitchen “full-time”.
Now fate has presented him with a much bigger opportunity.
Delighted to partner with @faffless to present #FafflessAtTheMovies at the end of the month 🍽
Join us Fri 30 Sep & Sat 1 Oct for delicious food & drink from Aberdeen's popular & quirky eatery ✨
Limited spaces – book via @faffless socials! pic.twitter.com/D48EFkAMR0
— Belmont Filmhouse (@BelmontFh) September 11, 2022
‘It would be stupid not to try…’
Since the sad announcement, Craig has been “sending lots of e-mails” having been energised by how well the weekend went.
“It would be stupid for us not to try,” he said.
“Considering the success we just had with the pop-up, it makes sense. We were turning people away for bookings.
“We were the first people to use the kitchen at the Belmont Filmhouse since 2014.
“It went stunningly well.”
Craig, who grew up in Fraserburgh and previously managed an Albyn Place restaurant, started his Netherkirkgate business last August.
Faffless has become more than just a place for food, running as a comedy venue, open mic spot and whisky bar.
He believes that already operating a “super artsy place” makes him the perfect contender to run a revamped Belmont.
Under Craig’s ambitious vision, the independent cinema would still screen the sort of niche movies that local culture vultures have flocked to since 2000.
Could Craig’s plan be a lifeline for redundant workers?
He continued: “Out of every adversity, there is potential for growth – and I am excited about this new opportunity…
“We would keep it as a small independent filmhouse showing the kind of films they were showing – while potentially renting out screens for birthdays or parties.
“While keeping the arthouse films, we might look at some crowd-pleasers to encourage folk in as well.”
And when it comes to Belmont employees, Craig would “look to keep as many on as he can”.
Can’t put into a few tweets the debt I owe Belmont Cinema and its staff over the years. Growing up it was a wee granite refuge for all the Aberdeen/shire cinephiles – for me as a teen into the student years. My heart goes out to the staff – they deserve better.
— Blair C Dingwall (@C_BDingwall) October 6, 2022
That might mean finding other roles for them within Faffless, if there aren’t enough positions at the reborn entertainment venue.
His bid came just hours after administrators FRP Advisory expressed hopes that a film business “or entrepreneur looking to enter the industry” could be interested.
Faffless owner’s plan for Belmont Street as city centre ‘dies’
And the location is another thing Craig is keen on.
He is a big believer that Aberdeen’s “dying” city centre needs some urgent help.
The businessman added: “Anything we can do to help, we want to.
“And it would be a real benefit to the street to keep it open.”
The now-previous owners said film attendance only recovered to about 50% of pre-pandemic levels, while energy bills are forecast to rise by £200,000 over the next year.
So isn’t he worried about taking on such a daunting venture?
Craig remains optimistic, saying: “There are always ways to mitigate costs.
“And I am a firm believer in spending money to make money.”
No shortage of ways to make venture a success
Craig is also considering “Faffless and Netflix” nights in the bar, among a “bunch of ideas” for the venue.
Another suggestion is allowing people to bring food, and maybe even a bottle of wine, into screens specially equipped with the odd table.
In the days ahead he will meet with the council, who own the building, to hopefully hammer out a deal.
He adds: “The main thing is that I want to keep everyone’s jobs, and for that reason I am top of the ‘options list’.
“My head is spinning with ideas for it.”
Learn more about Craig here.
Heartbroken Belmont Filmhouse staff describe moment ‘strangers came in and said we’d lost our jobs’
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