Mark Kermode urges everyone to help Acton Arts project's final push
Film critic Mark Kermode on Acton Arts bid
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Film Critic Mark Kermode is urging the Acton community and beyond to back the latest phase of the successful local led project to transform the old library.
Due to the restrictions caused by Covid, the planned opening of the Acton Arts project 2 screen cinema has been subjected to delays and the scheme has had to be adapted.
The team is now working on launching the historic site as a pop-up single screen viewing area with a bar/café supporting independent traders.The new project will be Covid secure with distanced seating allowing more seats to be added, as the situation changes and evolves.
More than £115,000 was initially raised to get the project off the ground, and planning permission was given the go ahead by Ealing Council.
Now the Acton Arts team has a new Spacehive campaign and seek funding support of 60k to make it happen.
This second phase of fundraising will be used to get the equipment and prepare the building for socially distanced screenings for four days a week.
Many locals are already on board with comments describing it as a ''marvellous initiative for Acton'' and ''There has never been a more important time to focus on what's local. We are so lucky to have this project on the horizon for when we can all get out and socialise again."
Film writer and broadcaster Mark Kermode backed the scheme from the start and has described it as ''seriously good news for film fans in West London."
Over £10k of the £60k has already been raised with more than 80 supporting, full details and how to donate can be found here.
The project team are
also making a pitch to the Mayor of London for a share of the High Street Regeneration fund he will distribute but are up against fierce competitition.
They've created a new video with old and young members from the area urging everyone add their support to show the Mayor how important a community initiative it is:
Maire Lowe from Acton Arts Project says it's vital the Mayor sees the huge amount of support and urges everyone to do their bit to help make this happen, ''Can you ask family and friends to follow and like too even if they don't live in Acton? We would be especially grateful for likes from children and older persons who would love a local cinema.
"Numbers really count for this competition - there are four hundred other applications.. If you belong to a group, music, books, bridge, sport, religious, political or community interest group would you send them this message?
"
We are aiming at 5000 supporters. That's a lot of people but there is a lot of goodwill for this project. We just need to tell the Mayor.''
Annemarie Flanagan
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17 February 2021
