The following letter is from Donald MacDonald , Chair, Oban Phoenix Cinema Steering Group.

       

 

Address: - D.M. Mackinnon, Solicitors, BOS Building, Oban PA34 4LN

 Date:-28/04/11

  Dear Sir/Madam,

 OBAN PHOENIX CINEMA

 I write to you as Chair of Oban Phoenix Cinema Steering Group. We are a Community Group, now incorporated as a Company, whose goal it is to re-establish cinema in Oban.

 As you may be aware, the Highland Theatre Cinema closed down in Summer 2010, with the result that there is no longer a cinema in Oban. The building itself is currently lying empty, in the ownership of the receiver.

 We believe the people of Oban, and the surrounding communities, would benefit if cinema were to be re-established in Oban. Since December 2010, we have been fundraising in earnest while negotiating with the receiver in a bid to purchase the Highland Theatre building. If we are successful in that, we plan to fully refurbish the cinema so that it becomes a valuable community asset once again. We intend to run the cinema as a not-for-profit community venture and to consult widely with the wider community so that Oban Phoenix Cinema can provide benefits right across the surrounding area and the islands.

 As well as fundraising, we are also attempting to secure funding from other sources. Funding is available, notably from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, but we have to make a case for it, if we are to be successful in securing it.

 I write to ask whether your community feels that it would benefit from a community run cinema in Oban. I would be obliged if you would confirm in a short letter or e-mail if you find that your community would support us in our venture. Your words of support would then be used by us to put together a case for funding, showing that the benefits of Oban Phoenix Cinema would be felt not just in Oban but far beyond. We are at a crucial stage in our negotiations with the receiver, having recently submitted an offer for the building. Our application for funding has therefore now become very urgent, and we would be most obliged if you felt able to provide a speedy response.

E-mails may be sent to obanphoenixcinema@gmail.com and letters may be sent to Oban Phoenix Cinema, c/o DM MacKinnon Solicitors, Bank of Scotland Buildings, Oban PA34 4LN.

Of course, we wish to remain in contact with our neighbouring communities, and we would welcome any additional comments that you may have.

 I thank you in advance of your assistance and look forward to hearing from you.

 Yours sincerely,

 Donald Macdonald

Chair of Oban Phoenix Cinema Steering Group