A Highland community has set up a new group in an attempt to resurrect its local cinema, which closed 10 years ago.
The Lochaber Cinema Group, which aims to become a registered charity, has been formed in the hope of reopening the former studio cinema site at Cameron Square in Fort William.
It is now working on its business plan and is holding a meeting today to take the project forward.
Marie Macpherson, of Fort William, who came up with the idea, said the aim of the group was to provide Lochaber with a community cinema and meeting facilities.
She said: “We have group members and office bearers, and we have agreed a constitution.
“We have been into the old building to have a look and estimate that a lot of electrical, plumbing and aesthetic upgrading will be needed.”
She added that they had made contact with the owner and were taking legal advice about setting up a lease or buying the building.
Members will also be visiting the cinema in Oban over the next few weeks to learn more about how it is set up.
Ms Macpherson stressed that it would not be run as a business, but as a charitable project run by the community for the community.
She said: “In the next week or so we will be registering as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation and with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.
“The Lochaber Cinema Group will endeavour to restore both screens, but with one of the screens doubling as a community hall in which activities that benefit the community can be held.
“We would not charge an hourly rate for this as the group understands that some charities and community groups have a fixed budget and may not be able to afford to rent the hall. Instead of an hourly rate, they would be asked for a donation.”
She added that they would show popular movies and hold film seasons on a monthly basis, as well as screening films during the day to provide socialising opportunities for mums and pre-school children.
And she pointed out that reopening the cinema could help breathe new life into the High Street.
