The UK’s most northerly mainland cinema has been given a new lease of life.
Thurso Cinema will reopen next month with screening of the new James Bond film Spectre and the final installment of the Hunger Games franchise.
It comes after Merlin Cinemas agreed to take over the running of the picture house.
The cinema had pulled down the curtain for what could have been the final time in September after a winding-up petition was issued by HM Revenue and Customs in July.
New operator Merlin Cinemas already operate a number of cinemas in Cornwal, Devon, Norfolk and Gloucestershire.
The company specialises in refurbishing and operating small, rural and historic cinemas, often including restaurants and bars.
It has said the cinema will be able to support four full-time and 12 part-time jobs, with a number of the staff who were made redundant being taken back on.
Penzance-based Merlin Cinemas is run by Geoff Greaves, who has more than three decades of experience in the business.
He said: “We believe it fits our business model perfectly and we look forward to bringing the latest films to Thurso and getting this important local social amenity up and operational again as soon as possible.”
The new lease follows a national marketing campaign to find a new tenant for the cinema by Glasgow-based property consultants John Gunn and Sons.
They confirmed yesterday that the cinema, which has two screens and 250 seats, is to reopen on Saturday, November 14.
The news that it is to reopen was welcomed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
The development agency’s head of strengthening communities in Caithness and Sutherland Pete Guthrie said: “This is great news for the cinema and the people of the town.
“The investment we have made in the facility over the years has helped create a cultural asset and community focal point, valued by residents and visitors alike.
“The cinema is also important for local employment. We are delighted that Merlin Cinemas is taking it over and look forward to continuing relationship with them on building the business.”