Free Welshpool cinema to continue, despite costs doubling

Welshpool movie goers will still be able to watch films on the big screen in the town, but the local council will monitor the expense after revealing it will cost them double this year.

The town signed up to the Flicks in the Sticks initiative last year, bringing monthly films to the big screen set up at the Corn Exchange in the Town Hall.

The Town Council covers the cost, so it is free for users and proving popular, but at a meeting of the Events Committee, it was confirmed that it will cost them a lot more from now on.

“We have been paying £80 as an introductory fee, but that goes up to £150 plus VAT (£180) from now on,” explained Kimberly Wright, the Events Planning and Market Officer, who explained that there was nearly a “full house” for the latest January showing.

Town Mayor, Cllr Nick Howells, urged fellow councillors to back the initiative as “we are here to provide a service to the community” and “reputationally, it has been good for the Town Council so we should keep it going”.

Ms Wright suggested that a donation bucket be placed for movie goers to contribute if they wish, and added that the tea and cake sales were also seeing them close to breaking even.

She also said that she will report back monthly after each showing to update on popularity and costs.