Founder and director of the Isle of Wight Film Festival, Bruce Webb, has today launched a crowd-funding campaign to save the old Rivoli Cinema in Sandown, one of the oldest in the UK.
Sandownians will know that the cinema has not been used as a cinema for many, many years and that plans are due to be submitted in January to demolish this important piece of Sandown heritage and replace it with new housing.
Offer accepted on the building
Bruce is passionate about saving the cinema and making sure the next generation get to experience it too.
He said,
“For many years I have looked at the Rivoli Cinema in Sandown and fallen in love with its bold art deco design. Always wondering what it looks like inside and wishing I could buy it and re-open it.
“The cinema came up for sale last year and I finally got to see inside and I was gobsmacked. It was like finding a rare old classic car in a barn. The projection room, the bar, the raked flooring for 500 seats, the screen frame and the fire exits were all intact.”
Bruce has made an offer on the building and the owner, who is keen to support the campaign, has generously given him until January 2014 to come up with the cash.
He plans to reopen the cinema showing the latest movies at the weekends and holidays, and art house cinema during the week. They’ll also be room for other things such as theatre and sports events.
Save it from demolition
Bruce says,
“With your help you can save the Rivoli Cinema from impending demolition – local Councillors have demanded the lifting of a conservation order on the building and there are plans going in at the end of January to have the cinema demolished and flats built in its place.
“I believe the building is more than fit for purpose – the roof is in good shape and the building has not been over developed inside, so its perfect for a re-launch.”
How to get involved
So passionate about this cause, Bruce is selling everything he owns to secure the building, but has a shortfall which he’s hoping the crowd-funding can help with.
He says,
“The money raised will firstly go into saving the building from demolition. Then the remaining money with go towards buying new seats, fitting out the foyer and bar, putting in digital projection for 1st run movies and decorating and fitting out the auditorium back to its art deco resplendence.”
What you get
As with all crowd-funding schemes, when you donate to the cause you get something tangible back in return (as well as the warm fuzzy feeling that you’ve helped save a piece of Island heritage).
Donations range from £15 – which will go towards the projection gear – and in return you get two free tickets to any screening of your choice.
There are a number of packages available right up to £4,500 – which gets you big screen sponsorship for five years.
To find out more check out the Indie GoGo page set up by Bruce and see how you can help.
Spread the word
If you can’t donate any cash, please help by spreading the word. Bruce and his team have 60 days to raise £250,000.
