£675k grant moves Paignton Picture House closer to 2026 reopening

Paignton Picture House has secured a £675,246 grant from Historic England to help restore the historic fabric of the Grade II* listed cinema - marking a major step towards reopening the landmark venue in 2026.

The funding will protect fragile original features and stabilise the building, one of Europe’s oldest purpose-built cinemas, which has been on the Heritage at Risk Register since 2013. It brings Historic England’s total investment in the project to more than £940,000.

Opened in 1914 and closely associated with Agatha Christie – who is believed to have watched adaptations of her own novels from the balcony – the Picture House is celebrated for its Arts and Crafts design and richly atmospheric auditorium. The much-loved building has been closed since 1999.

Restoration work is already well underway thanks to support from national partners and private donors. This latest grant will allow the Paignton Picture House Trust to carry out specialist repairs to delicate interior features and continue the complex work of stabilising the structure as it progresses towards reopening as a heritage-led cultural venue. The cinema is expected to welcome visitors again in September 2026.

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Julian Carnell, Trustee of the Paignton Picture House Trust, said: “It is fantastic news that Historic England has chosen to support Paignton Picture House with a very significant grant which will further enable us to restore and repair this historic building in the heart of Paignton, transforming it into a vibrant cultural space serving the local community and contributing to the regeneration of the town."

Rebecca Barrett, South West Regional Director at Historic England, said: “We’re delighted to give one of our largest grants this year to the continuing transformation of Paignton Picture House. It’s another big step towards its future as a thriving cultural hub for the community in Torbay and the wider region. We’re excited to see the amazing progress the Trust and everyone working on the restoration is making.”