Westway Cinema goes digital thanks to Frome community effort

The Westway Cinema in Frome, Somerset has secured its digital future thanks to the fundraising efforts of the local community.

Local cinemagoers pulled together to raise the funds with events including pub quizzes and clothes swaps. Children also helped by donating pocket money towards the initiative, which has reached £10,000.The new digital era for the cinema will allow customers to enjoy better sound and picture quality, along with a wider selection of movies.

Owner of the Westway, Martina O’Connor (pictured above in the heyday of 35mm) said, “It has been so heart-warming to know that everybody was so desperate to see us continue. We felt so deflated after the council rejected us for a grant but I think the community understood the importance of the cinema in the town and pulled together.

“If we hadn’t received this money, there is no doubt that we would have closed. I have taken on a second job to raise more funds and the effort by everyone in Frome to reach our target has been amazing! I would like to thank absolutely everyone who helped. The list is massive of those that made this possible, but I really do appreciate it.”

The cinema launched its digital offering on 19th June with early films being shown on the new equipment including Man of Steel, Despicable Me 2 and The Great Gatsby.