Historic Buildings

#HP Paignton Picture House - Audience Development, Outreach and Inclusion

Paignton Picture House (PPH) reopens in summer 2026 after extensive capital restoration and 27 years of closure. This project is a once-in a-generation opportunity to re-establish this historic cultural asset as a welcoming, inclusive and sustainable community space, and secure its long-term future as an independent cultural venue. We will deliver an ambitious engagement and audience development programme that will: build new and diverse audiences reflecting the wider communities; increase access and participation for audiences that experience economic, social and cultural barriers; secure organisational sustainability through building reliable audiences, income diversification, and a motivated staff/volunteer team; establish the cinema as a trusted cultural anchor within Torbay’s HP programme and a keystone in the culturally led regeneration of Paignton. By investing in dedicated staff, we will transition from a volunteer-led restoration project to a sustainable, professionally managed venue, while keeping community ownership and participation at its heart.