the Magic Lantern cinema in Tywyn has been given a huge financial boost ahead of its reopening later this month, after receiving a grant of almost £148,000.

Work has started on the “reimagining” of the cinema following the successful application to the Welsh Government’s Coastal Communities Fund via the National Lottery.

The cinema has been awarded a grant of £147,844 over the next two years.

The money will go towards making the venue stronger in the future and help it to move forward as not just a cinema, but as a local venue for Tywyn.

Annie Grundy, cinema general manager, said: “At some stages of the coronavirus pandemic we have been able to open the bar and serve drinks to our outside area.

“Alongside coronavirus business grants, having a bar helped us through when we couldn’t open as a cinema.

“One of our local councillors and someone at the Talyllyn Railway told us about the Welsh Government’s Coastal Communities Fund.

“We didn’t think it would be relevant to us, but we sat down and talked about what we would like to achieve, then put in the application and were delighted to make it to the second stage.

“We then had to put in a full application. We didn’t think we would get it, but we did and it’s brilliant.

“For starters we can improve our cocktail area outside, re-jiggle inside to free up space around the bar and bring in some kitchen facilities so that we can offer ice-creams and snacks.

“There’s a lot to move around, which is why we are waiting until 28 May to open even though reopening was possible from 17 May.”

Annie added: “We lease the building from Gwynedd Council and, coincidentally, they’ve just started to paint the outside of the cinema so there is work happening on the interior and exterior.

“Later in the year we will also be getting equipment to make our event nights better. This includes getting an automated screen protector, a decent lighting rig and a sound system.

“The Dolby sound system we have for the cinema is one we got from a cinema in Soho that was getting refurbished.

“It’s perfect for films but it can’t be used for live acts at the cinema. For this, at the moment, we need to bring in outside equipment. If we have everything in house, it will be much better for us.

“First and foremost, we are a cinema, but anything else we can offer will make us stronger in the future - and we’ll be looking for new staff to travel forward with us!”