Oswestry's Maona Cinema Makes a Blockbuster Comeback Thanks to Community Power!

The Maona Cinema in Oswestry is set to reopen this Saturday after a successful fundraising campaign led by the local community and a Birmingham-based charity. Previously known as Kinokulture, the cinema closed its doors in April 2024 when its long-time operators, Ian Garland and Ruth Carter, retired after 14 years of service. The closure left a gap in the town's cultural life, but thanks to the efforts of Maona Arts and the generosity of local residents, the cinema has been restored and is ready to welcome moviegoers once again. Maona Arts managed to raise £38,000 through crowdfunding, which was used to renovate the building and prepare it for reopening. The cinema will kick off its new chapter by screening two films on its opening weekend: 'Christy' on Saturday and 'Golden Eye' on Sunday. Tatenda Jamera, director at Maona Arts, explained that the opening weekend is meant to give people a taste of what the cinema will offer. He said, 'We'll have new releases, we'll have a little bit of blockbusters, but it'll be mostly new releases from the independent sector because that's where our core offering comes from… independent releases, independent filmmakers. ' The cinema will operate as a single-screen venue, focusing on independent films and providing a platform for lesser-known filmmakers.

Jamera emphasized that the reopening was made possible by the goodwill and support of the community. He said, 'It's the community, we just managed to get money through community, word of mouth, the council, Vibrant Shropshire… a lot of people came on board to make sure this happened. ' The Oswestry Film Society, which has been involved in the process, shared on Facebook that a significant amount of work went into preparing the cinema. Volunteers contributed by cleaning, painting, building a new bar area, handling electrical work, and installing a new sound system. Their collective efforts have transformed the space into a welcoming environment for film enthusiasts.

The official opening for regular business is scheduled for 30 October, with special showings planned for young children during the half-term break. The cinema is housed in a historic building with red brick walls, white pillars, and a distinctive red door, which was once a chapel before being converted into a cinema. The reopening of Maona Cinema is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the importance of local arts venues. Residents are looking forward to enjoying films together and supporting independent filmmakers. The BBC encourages people to share stories from Shropshire and stay connected through their online platforms. The revival of Maona Cinema highlights how communities can come together to preserve and enhance their cultural heritage.