Culture Recovery Fund grant of £95 844 given to the Penistone Paramount
I’m delighted that the Penistone Paramount cinema is going to receive a £95 844 cash injection this Christmas from the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which has provided grant awards to 201 cinemas across England. The Paramount is a much loved community asset serving Penistone and its surrounding areas.
Visiting the cinema today with Penistone Mayor Cllr Andrew Millner I saw the results of the fantastic refurbishment completed during the national coronavirus lockdown earlier in the year. Brian Barnsley, Cinema Manager, showed us around the auditorium which now benefits from new seating, carpets and decoration, upgraded house lights and the front steps restored to their former glory.
Interestingly, the cinema also boasts a famous Compton cinema organ which was restored in 2000 by The Penistone Cinema Organ Trust. In normal times the organ attracts audiences from far and wide with its regular concerts.
Brian explained how the cinema has really struggled this year because of COVID-19, but also told me about all the hard work that had gone into a successful (but sadly temporary) re-opening in the autumn.
I could not be more pleased that the Penistone Paramount is benefitting from this national fund and it was a privilege to be able to share the news with Penistone Town Council at their meeting earlier tonight. While the pandemic looks set to continue for a while yet, it’s important that the cinema is still here when we get back to normal.
Community assets like the Penistone Paramount are the cultural and social heart of our towns and villages. I know how much hard work has gone into keeping the cinema going over recent years, and this grant will hopefully ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy all it has to offer.
