CellB Cinema

In Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, this unique independent cinema 48-seat opened on Friday 22nd July 2016 with “The BFG”, starring Mark Rylance. It is situated in former County Police Buildings that were vacated in 2004. The transformation began in 2007 with the construction of a series of artists’ workshops, and since then a café/bar and function space have been created on the upper floor, while the ground floor is home to a small hostel.

The original intention had been to also open a ‘cool and quirky’ art house theatre on the ground floor. However, following discussions with residents, it was decided that a cinema was a greater priority. Arts Council of Wales and local company Magnox contributed £100,000 for the installation of a state of the art auditorium and the digital projection system.

I visited in March 2017 to see “The Great Wall”, starring Matt Damon. Before seeing the film I had a very tasty burger in the really attractively laid out upstairs café/bar (complete with a wood-burning stove, very welcome on not the best of days!) and chatted with other patrons, local residents who clearly appreciate their new cinema. The cinema has been constructed to a very high standard, and this all made for a wonderful experience. This is a really imaginative use of a former public building.

It was closed in 2017 due to a burst water pipe. Crowdfunding was begun to make repairs and the cinema had reopened by July 2019. On Saturday 20th February 2021, actor Rhys Ifans officially opened a second screen in the upstairs function room. In his honour, this has been named Rhys Ifans Sgrin 2. However, no fixed cinema seats have been installed, and the room is still in use as a flexible function space. A comfortable cinema the seating capacity would appear to be around 30.

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