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February 2005 Our History - and our Future THE STORY SO FAR There has been a cinema on Crosby Road North in Waterloo since 1939. For over 60 years the local community has laughed and cried its way through the Hollywood classics and the best of British and World Cinema. During this time, the building has been a major source of contact with the outside world and within the community. People's perceptions have been changed, their lives enriched. And then, in November 1996, the owners decided to close the doors for good and sell the site for redevelopment into yet another new office block. The community was horrified - petitions were signed, campaigns were instigated and the Plaza Community Cinema Trust was established. A lease was agreed and finally in July 1997 with no financial capital to speak of, but with a wealth of volunteer support, the cinema was reopened (this is a story in itself!), to show Jurassic Park to packed houses. And so it went on. By Christmas '97 all three screens were up and running showing a huge range of films. Then came a whole multitude of film-related activities: - the Arts Screen; the (now over 300-strong) Kids Club; the afternoon social club; several festivals and lots of events: - an Advocacy film week; regular short film nights; a talk by a Holocaust survivor before a showing of Schindler's List; presentations by directors such as Stephen Frears, Michael Winterbottom and Julian Temple. And the ideas just keep on coming! In January 2000, having raised £325,000 in just four months, the Trust bought the building. And with virtually all the work done by unpaid volunteers and for 364 days per year. Even though we now have a core of paid staff, the Plaza still could not operate without volunteers. During this time the Trustees were developing their vision for the cinema, and the Project to achieve this vision. Everybody loves the cinema - Sefton Council, the British Film Institute, North West Arts Board, Sefton Council for Voluntary Services and, most importantly, the local community, especially the children. And the great thing is that all these cinema-goers are learning loads more about life and society whilst having fun. But inevitably sustainability is a problem - the building is in urgent need of repair and refurbishment and our day to day financial position remains precarious. If we are to achieve our ultimate vision, or indeed, still be here in a year's time, we have to press on with developing the project. Which includes raising more financial support. Major funders to date include: - For purchase of our cinema building: - •the Esmee Fairbairn Charitable Trust (£80,500) For purchase of projection equipment: - • Foundation for Sport and the Arts (£35,000) for secondhand
equipment to open the cinema To fund a professional cinema manager for 3 years, to improve the cinema operations and free Jan Dunn up for the project: - • South Sefton Partnership (SRB) (£84,000) To fund our Development Office & staff, to work on developing our charitable activities and long term sustainability: - • MSEI (£47,000)
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