The Belmont Cinema, in the heart of Aberdeen’s city centre, has secured vital development funding that could deliver up to £1.5million of support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund – a major step in the ongoing fundraising campaign which will bring the historic cinema back to life.
The cinema has announced an initial grant of £87,438 from the Heritage Fund to support work that could release a further £1,412,562 upon the successful completion of the development phase.
Assisted by the grant and on-going fundraising, refurbishment works are set to improve sustainability and access, whilst sympathetically modernising the much-loved heritage building, its facilities and equipment. The project aims to deliver an exceptional experience to a wide audience, via upgraded auditoriums, a dedicated education and filmmaking centre, and a versatile café bar.
Aligned with the Heritage Fund’s objectives, the project will record, preserve and celebrate the rich social history of cinema-going in Aberdeen, whilst creating a venue fit for the future, which brings independent, local, national and international films to audiences across the northeast.
Matt Buchanan, CEO of The Belmont Cinema, said:
“We are delighted to receive this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and would like to thank National Lottery players. This funding unlocks the next stage in our development plans which are set to commence in early 2026 and brings us closer than ever to reopening.
“Alongside the renovation activity, the project will celebrate the history and heritage of cinema in Aberdeen, collecting memories, recording oral histories, preserving film equipment, and sharing these histories with the community.”
Jacob Campbell, Chairperson of The Belmont Cinema’s board of trustees, added:
“This award is a fantastic moment for The Belmont Cinema and a real boost to our fundraising campaign, taking us a major step closer to the £3.6m we need to bring Belmont back to life. Funding for our Film Projection Heritage Project will ensure that 35mm and 70mm projection have a solid future in Aberdeen, protecting traditional methods of projection and the skills that come with it.
“I’m grateful to our staff team, our trustees, and our community of donors and supporters. Together, we have achieved lots to date, and we will keep building momentum as we push towards the reopening of Aberdeen’s only independent cinema”
Councillor Martin Greig, Culture Spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, expressed his support for the project:
“Aberdeen City Council is delighted with this National Lottery Heritage Fund award. We will continue to work with and support the Belmont team in creating a high quality, locally-run, independent cinema. We share a strong vision of promoting film to suit the diverse range of cultural interests in the city and wider region. The Belmont is a beloved institution and we can’t wait to see its doors open once again for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.”
David Smith, Director at Screen Scotland said:
You Might Also Like:
“This National Lottery Heritage Fund support is a hugely significant milestone for The Belmont Cinema, for Aberdeen’s cultural life, and for the development of the screen sector in the North East.
“All filmmakers start as audience members. They discover their passion for filmmaking first by watching films and Screen Scotland continues to believe that the best place to do that is the cinema. Screen Scotland has supported The Belmont Cinema from the outset to undertake the vital development and fundraising work needed to reach this point, and it’s fantastic to see that groundwork help secure this major backing.”
To support the project and keep up to date with the latest events, fundraisers and developments, please visit the website as well as The Belmont Cinema’s social media channels.
