Pop-up cinema looking toreel in bigger audiences

A GROUP of volunteers have turned a bad situation in Waterlooville into a positive community drive.

Waterlooville Events Group created the pop-up cinema for local residents after plans for a large cinema complex fell through.

Now the pop-up cinema is going from strength to strength while simultaneously boosting exposure for local businesses – and some of the larger companies around are starting to back the initiative.

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Chairman Jackie Buckley explained: ‘Everyone in the community said they wanted some sort of cinema, just as something extra to be able to do in the area.

‘When the premise of a cinema and a bowling alley came to fruition, people were very excited – only to find out that none of the major cinemas was interested in investing.

‘This initiative, set up by the Waterlooville Events Group, aims to provide an alternative to that, one we are incredibly proud of.’

The cinema pops up at St George’s Church hall, a location chosen by the group because it is easy for people to get to.

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Jackie added: ‘At the moment it is growing quite well. At the first cinema showing we had about 30 people turn up, which is really encouraging.

‘The more we grow the more we will be able to do; more showings, bigger films and hopefully greater connection with the community.’

Jackie said that the community element is what is at the heart of the project.

She explained: ‘One of the key things about the pop-up cinema is that tickets are available from local businesses – corne shops, cake stores and the sweet shop in Tempest Avenue for example.

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‘This draws more attention to the local businesses and helps generate a bigger sense of community spirit which is really important to us.’

The next screening is Eye in the Sky (15) on Thursday, April 27, at 7.30pm

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