Always on
This project successfully funded on 30th September 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
Save the Royal Cinema fighting fund
Plymouth, United Kingdom
Aim
Plymouth’s Reel Cinema (formerly the ABC, and Royal) is up for sale and we're raising funds to support the campaign to save it.
As a nominated Asset of Community Value, the community has a right to bid alongside other parties, but only if we can mobilise enough support by the September deadline. We need funds for campaigning action over the next couple of months so that we can get the word out and build momentum.
We passionately believe that the Royal has so much to offer Plymouth as a mixed use cultural and community venue. Our vision for the unique building includes cinema screens, a gallery and café/bar, much-needed live performance space, as well as rehearsal rooms. It’s perfectly placed within the ‘performance quarter’ identified in Plymouth City Council’s Creative Industries Plan, and by working collaboratively with the Athenaeum and other local venues we are confident that the Royal can play a critical role in positioning Plymouth as the cultural capital of the South West.
Karl Parsons, Chair of the Plymouth Royal Cinema CBS, said “This is our only chance to save a much-loved part of Plymouth’s history and culture, a true survivor from the glory days of British cinema. It’s a big challenge, but with enough support we believe we can do it!”
Our group have set up a Community Benefit Society (CBS) to make that bid and secure the building in community ownership, but first we need to make as many people as possible aware of the imminent threat, to build momentum and generate a wide support base.
Donations to this Crowdfunder will help cover the essential costs of campaigning: building and hosting a website, printing, holding meetings, and online advertising to reach a wide audience, as well as professional advice to inform our bid.
With your help we can do it! - Thanks for your support.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made