How you can help save Wolverhampton Light House
An independent cinema threatened with closure due to a lack of funding has launched an urgent appeal for support from its visitors.
Bosses at the Light House Cinema in Wolverhampton say it cannot survive without outside investment.
The #SaveLightHouse appeal has now been launched in a bid to prevent one of the city’s iconic venues from closing its doors.
The Express & Star revealed the plight facing the cinema, which has been based at the Chubb Buildings since 1991, to readers last week.
Admissions actually increased in the last year but officials say the cinema is facing a ‘cash-flow crisis’ following the withdrawal of financial backing from Wolverhampton council three years ago.
The venue shows current films, streamed live theatre and hosts community events there too.
But it has been struggling ever since it lost the council subsidy worth £73,000 a year.
The Light House said in a statement: “Following last week’s announcement that Light House in Wolverhampton, the Black Country’s only independent cinema, is in danger of closure unless significant investment is sourced, the venue has issued the following statement of information to inform the press and public of its current situation and to launch a campaign to save Light House.
“It outlines how, instead of a campaign to trying to save something that will ultimately fail, that this is actually a call to save a thriving venue, bucking the trends of growth, and that without outside investment and support, independent charities and cultural venues like this cannot survive.
“With the city’s Civic Halls currently closed with no sign of reopening, there will be very few affordable entertainment options left in the city if Light House closes.”
Businesses, visitors and people from across the Black Country are now being urged to give what they can to stop the cinema from closing.
Chief executive Kelly Jeffs said: “The bottom line is we need support. If we want to continue we need help, this is a call for help. Outwardly we are thriving. But in the back office, we are very cash poor.”
Donations can be made directly to the cinema by cash or cheque payable to Light House Media Centre, or online via local giving.org/charity/lovelighthouse
Companies, individuals and organisations wanting to discuss sponsorship and partnership can call Ms Jeffs on 01902 716055 or email kelly@light-house.co.uk
