Community buy-out bid revealed for Tower Digital Arts Centre

The volunteers who run the Tower Digital Arts Centre have have issued an appeal to local residents as they warn of a “shadow of uncertainty” over the facility’s future.

They are planning a community engagement event at the Sinclair Street venue next month giving people in the town a chance to find out more about the project and its future.

The facility has provided regular cinema screenings, as well as being a venue for concerts, election hustings and other community events, since it opened its doors in 2014 at the former St Columba’s Church building.

Among the well-known names who have performed at the Tower in the last 10 years are Alasdair Gray, Jarvis Cocker, Clare Grogan, Ian Rankin, Al Murray, Graham Norton, and Marian Keyes.

A steering group, working with Community Enterprise Ltd, is already in talks with the Scottish Land Fund over what would be involved in bringing the venue into community ownership.

The original screening room at the Tower Digital Arts Centre, in what was previously St Columba's Church (Image: Tower Digital Arts Centre)

Paul Lyden, chair of the Tower Community Buyout Steering Group, said: “As the heartbeat of our town, The Tower has been a cherished hub of entertainment and artistic expression for several years.

“Now, faced with the prospect of change due to unforeseen circumstances, the community is rallying together to secure the future of this beloved venue.

“The current owner has dedicated many years and substantial resources establishing and supporting the Tower but is contemplating a transition to retirement due to circumstances beyond his control. This change of circumstances is casting a shadow of uncertainty over the future of The Tower.

“However, the resilient spirit of Helensburgh is shining through, as a dedicated group of local residents has been diligently working to bring this cultural gem under community ownership.

“In partnership with Community Enterprise (CE) and in talks with the Scottish Land Fund (SLF), we are determined to demonstrate the overwhelming community support that exists for The Tower’s continued role as a cinematic and arts haven. Now, more than ever, we need your support.”

The centre closed its doors entirely for almost two years because of the pandemic, apart from a window of a few days shortly before Christmas 2020. 

Cinema screenings did not resume until July 2022.

But since then the volunteers and staff who run the centre have equipped and opened a third screening room, increased attendance in the second, and carried out improvement works in the first – the original church space.

They issued a plea for community support in the spring of last year after the centre’s manager, Fernando Pitaes, left his role after only nine months for health reasons.

Fernando Pitaes, second left, joined the Tower team in July 2022 - but had to step down nine months later for health reasons (Image: Kiera Burns)

And within weeks of that plea they admitted they’d been “overwhelmed” by the level of support shown by local residents.

Now the team behind the buy-out plan is hoping the community will show that backing once more to secure the facility's longer-term future.

Mr Lyden continued: “The future of the venue, even though it is now proven to be viable, is still in doubt.

“A small group of local businesspeople will try to acquire the building for the community via the Scottish Government’s Scottish Land Fund scheme.”

The group says an essential element of the Scottish Land Fund process is evidence of community support for the proposal.

With that in mind, they have organised a community engagement event taking place at the centre at 2pm on Saturday, February 3.

The day will feature presentations on the centre’s story so far and the road ahead, details of similar projects, a Q&A session to seek clarity on the project and its potential, and a chance to officially declare your interest in, and support for, the Tower’s community-led future.

The building dates back to 1861, but closed its doors as a place of worship in 2011 after its Church of Scotland congregation voted to form a union with the West Kirk to form Helensburgh Parish Church.

The centre has proved hugely popular with residents since it opened in 2014 (Image: Kiera Burns)
Mr Lyden added: “Let’s make history together, Helensburgh. Your presence and support are the key ingredients in shaping the vibrant future we envisage for The Tower.”

Places at the event can be secured online at Eventbrite.co.uk or by calling 01436 679052.

The cinema opened in 2014, and the centre was officially opened in 2015 by Scotland's then culture minister, Fiona Hyslop.

A digital training centre followed in 2016, opened by the then Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell.

Find out more about what's showing at the Tower at helensburghboxoffice.com.