AN Edinburgh cinema is offering free membership to former employees of the city’s Filmhouse after it was forced to shut.
The Cameo Cinema said it was “deeply saddened by the news the Filmhouse and the Belmont in Aberdeen had to stop trading due to a “perfect storm of sharply rising costs”.
The Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) also ran the Edinburgh International Film Festival which has also stopped trading as administrators assess the charity’s future.
More than 100 workers immediately lost their jobs, while a petition to save the cinemas and festival gained more than 8000 signatures.
Cameo has now offered all former Filmhouse or Edinburgh International Festival employees complimentary membership in a bid to keep “cinema culture alive”.
The cinema has also offered all Filmhouse members a discount on ticket purchases.
In a statement on Facebook, Cameo said: “Keeping Scotland’s cinema culture alive is something we care very much about. Like many of you, we’re deeply saddened by the news about Filmhouse, Edinburgh Film Festival, and The Belmont in Aberdeen, and have been thinking hard about the best ways we can help.
“While it’s only a small gesture, watching films is something we all want to share together – so we at The Cameo would like to offer all former Filmhouse or Edinburgh Film Festival employees complimentary membership at our cinema.
“We also know there’s members of the Filmhouse who’ve paid for a benefit they can no longer claim. We’re happy to invite Filmhouse members to claim a £3 discount on all ticket purchases at The Cameo, the same discount our members receive.
“Filmhouse members just need to present a valid membership card at the Cameo box office to claim their discount.
“We at The Cameo hope to see you at the movies very soon.”
Former Filmhouse and festival employees should email enquiries@picturehouses.co.uk to set up their membership.
According to the CMI, energy costs and reduced trade have had a major impact on the cinema sector and said “immediate action” was required in the face of “unprecedented” challenges.
The CMI said that its energy costs are going up by around £200,000 over the next 12 months. With the UK Government’s energy cap only scheduled to last six months, planning into next year is difficult.
As a registered Real Living Wage employer, the charity is also facing an increase of payroll costs of 10.1% on top of the additional energy fees.
The CMI also blamed stagnant public funding, general inflation and poor trading for the financial struggles – with cinema admissions at just 50% of their pre-pandemic levels.
Tom MacLennan and Chad Griffin of FRP Advisory have been appointed as joint administrators, and will work alongside Creative Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council and Aberdeen City Council to find a way forward.
