Arbroath Cinema

Situated by the waterside in Arbroath, Angus, this single-storey building opened in the mid-1980’s as Smokey’s nightclub, going on to become, rather appropriately, The Waterfront.

That closed around November 2011, and was subsequently taken over by leisure company Chalmers Group, headed by Andrew Henderson. By October 2014, with pressure from the council and police, the nightclub only operated on Saturdays, while one-off film shows, family activities and live performances had begun to take place.

The film shows were so well-received that the venue was converted into the full-time Arbroath Cinema. Initially there were two screens, this was increased to four at some stage.

Seating capacities are: Screen 1:100, Screen 2:50, Screen 3:30 and Screen 4:50

In June 2020 it was announced that Arbroath Cinema was among 24 projects to receive support from The National Lottery, through Screen Scotland’s Cinema Equipment Fund, towards the purchase of new equipment, to enable it to host “accessible community cinema”. Andrew Henderson said: “This funding allows us to purchase a new energy efficient 4k laser projector which we will install in our spacious Screen One. The town of Arbroath and the surrounding rural communities will then be able to benefit from getting a quality cinema experience which is often associated with the big venues in larger towns.”

It is believed that Chalmers Entertainment leases the building. In November 2023 it was up for sale, at £500,000, due to the owner’s retirement.

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