Number 30

In Huntly, Aberdeenshire, retail outlet Cruikshanks opened in 1875. Over time, it expanded into adjoining premises to become a large Cruickshanks department store which traded for over 140 years before closing in 2018.

In July 2019 Huntly Development Trust secured funding through the Aberdeenshire Town Centre Fund to buy the property, with the aim of bringing it into community ownership as a multi-use centre.

In January 2020 the Trust commissioned LDN, award-winning architects with long experience of working on conservation buildings, to create plans for a full refurbishment of the Grade B & Grade C historic Building.

The works began in October 2021. Number 30 opened in late-2024, though the ‘official’ opening celebration was not held until April 2025.

Designed to be fully flexible, the cinema/performance space has retractable seating, to enable a wide range of events to be presented, although there is a regular film programme. Thus ‘big screen’ entertainemnt has been brought back to the town following the closure of the Playhouse Cinema (see separate Cinema Treasures entry) way back in 1970.

There is also a two-level co-working space, a large gallery, meeting rooms and a cafe.

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