Following the closure of Royston Picture Palace, Royston Town Council has issued a Prior Information Notice (PIN) looking for new operators to take over the cinema.

Royston Picture Palace was previously managed by Saffron Screen, which withdrew last summer due to declining ticket sales.

In December, the town council announced that the not-for-profit community cinema would close, but said they "remain committed to finding a long term solution to keep the cinema open".

The PIN, which is available on the Government website, was published on Friday, January 5 and announces the upcoming procurement process for the provision of cinema services in the town.

The deadline for parties to express their interest is Friday, February 9.

A spokeswoman for Royston Town Council said: "As part of the ongoing work to secure the future of Royston Picture Palace, Royston Town Council is formally requesting expressions of interest to run the cinema from suitable parties.

"The council is open to looking at different approaches for operating the cinema going forwards.

"The Town Council is grateful for the offers of help that have already been received and would once again like to thank the community for their support and interest in the cinema."

Anticipated services include the operation and management of a cinema facility, further scope to run theatre and live music events, programming and scheduling of film screenings, coordination of special events, film festivals and community outreach programmes and maintenance and upkeep of cinema facilities in conjunction with the council.

Royston Picture Palace originally opened in 2013. In December 2019, management of the cinema became a collaboration between the town council and Saffron Screen, who run a similar community-focused cinema in Saffron Walden.

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Screenings took place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, with further matinée showings on Saturday and Sundays.

After Saffron Screen gave notice, the cinema continued to operate with additional funding support up to the end of December 2023.

The cinema has been run as not-for-profit enterprise, with the support of volunteer duty staff.

Any parties interested in the cinema can get in touch by emailing town.clerk@roystontowncouncil.gov.uk or calling 01763 245484.