After two years without a cinema, Royston could soon see one of its most cherished community spaces brought back to life.
On Monday 19th January, Royston Town Council voted on an ambitious proposal to relaunch the Town Hall as ‘The Royston Venue’ – a multi-use community hub that will once again screen films while opening the doors to a wide range of activities for residents of all ages.
Local Liberal Democrat councillors have continued to push for a solution that went beyond simply reopening a cinema. The result is a detailed proposal, developed over more than six months, that reimagines the Town Hall as a flexible venue for films, theatre, classes and community events.
Councillor Ed Nutting, who led the development of the plan, said it delivers what local people want while keeping costs under control. ’I want to thank the people of Royston for the support they’ve shown for bringing the cinema back and for backing a more ambitious vision for the Town Hall,” he said. “This has taken persistence and hard work, but we now have a plan that reopens film screenings, creates a true community hub, and does so without placing a major financial burden on the town. I’m proud to have led this work and to see it reach this stage.’’
Councillor Tim Johnson highlighted the scale of collaboration behind the proposal. “This has been a real team effort,” he said. “So many people have contributed their time, expertise and local knowledge to get this right — councillors, officers, volunteers and residents. A huge amount of work has gone into learning from the past and building something sustainable for the future, and I’m genuinely excited to see The Royston Venue get started.”
The plans include regular film screenings, a restored stage, and space for pantomimes, live performances, dance and exercise classes, cookery workshops, parties and community groups such as a Silver Sunday club. Importantly, the proposal is designed to make better use of an existing town asset while keeping activities affordable and accessible, particularly at a time when rising travel and living costs make local provision more important than ever.
The Royston Venue will mark a significant step forward for the town, restoring regular entertainment, supporting local groups and bringing more life into the town centre. For the Liberal Democrats, it represents a clear example of community-led leadership turning local concerns into practical action – and a new chapter for one of Royston’s most important buildings.
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