Scotland's oldest purpose built cinema - the revamped Bo'ness Hippodrome will re-open to the public on the 9th of April with a screening of the latest animated blockbuster, 'Monsters vs Aliens'.

The Hippodrome redevelopment forms a central part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative to restore significant buildings within the attractive historical town centre of Bo'ness.

The cinema is owned by Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, which undertook the first phase of restoration, and is now leased to Falkirk Council.

The architects for the restoration project are Linlithgow based Pollock Hammond Partnership.


Councillor Adrian Mahoney, the Council's convener of Leisure, Tourism and Community, said: "The opening performance will be an all ticket affair for the community competition winners, followed by a thank you event for the funders the next evening."

The £1.95m initial restoration programme was funded by The Heritage Lottery Fund, Falkirk Council through the Townscape Heritage Initiative, Historic Scotland, the Architectural Heritage Fund, Falkirk Environment Trust and the Manifold Trust.

The £200k technical fit-out has been funded by Falkirk Council with support from The National Lottery through the Scottish Arts Council.

The Hippodrome is a key project in the My Future's in Falkirk economic development initiative which also includes the £5m regeneration of Bo'ness and a £150m mixed use development to redevelop the town's foreshore.

Film tickets can be purchased from the Steeple Box Office in Falkirk or by credit card by calling 01324 506850.

(GK/JM)