The curtain is to be raised again at the UK’s most northerly mainland cinema tonight.
Thurso Cinema will burst back into life with screenings of the new James Bond film Spectre, the final installment of the Hunger Games franchise and children’s movie Hotel Transylvania 2.
New operators Merlin Cinemas has agreed to take over the running of the picture house, which looked to have had its final curtain call in September.
It followed a winding-up petition issued by HM Revenue and Customs in July.
Merlin Cinemas is based in Penzance and boss Geoff Greaves said last night the company are proud to boast the cinemas closest to both John O’Groats and Lands End.
The company specialise in refurbishing and operating small, rural and historic cinemas.
And Mr Greaves said last night that it was a perfect time to be reopening the picture house.
He said: “We’re excited and really looking forward to the opening.
“We’ve had a lot of messages of good will from the public.
“We’re lucky to be reopening at what is a really strong time for cinemas in general, with films like Spectre, The Lady in the Van, the new Hunger Games and of course next month the new Star Wars.
“It’s a particularly good time to be reopening a cinema.”
Merlin has carried out a refurbishment of the cinema since taking over the lease, including fitting a new boiler.
The cinema bar will be open for tonight’s screenings while Mr Greaves hopes to open a restaurant on the premises within the next week.
So far the company has taken on three full-time staff and a number of part-time workers, many of whom worked at the cinema before it closed.
And Merlin is set to invest in the building, with early plans to add a third screen being considered.
Pamela Coyne, a partner at business advisers and accountants Scott-Moncrieff, which secured the asset sale, commented: “With the closest cinema around 100 miles away, all parties were keen to get the Thurso Cinema reopened swiftly, safeguarding an important community asset as well as local jobs.
“Following meaningful dialogue with a number of parties and outside agencies, that the cinema is now opening after such a short closure, is a positive outcome for the community and other stakeholders.”