Beccles cinema building turned into Saltgate Arts venue

In its previous life as The Cinema, the Beccles venue was a top draw for film lovers for forty years.

The former cinema building in Saltgate has now been transformed into a community arts venue. 

Started and run by two brothers, Mike and Rob Ellis, Saltgate Art is set to promote local art in the Beccles community. 

Mike said: "The inspiration was to open the space that could showcase art in the centre of Beccles for local artists."

"We believed Beccles needed somewhere for visual arts," he added, and the old cinema was the perfect spot for them. 

Their main aim is to support and promote artists in the local area to Beccles, and encourage all forms of arts.

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The art centre opened earlier this year in the beloved cinema building on Saltgate (Image: Mike Ellis)

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Since opening the building, they have held a life drawing workshop, of which Mike said "was very successful". 

"Our main concentration at the moment is raising funds. We are looking to do more workshops and begin to hold gallery exhibitions moving forward."

In the future, the pair hope to be able to offer coffee and other beverages in the centre too. 

However, Mike has said the centre is concentrating on raising funds so they can open more often. 

Mike said: "We are looking to appoint an additional director for the business side of the centre."

"We are also asking for local people to get involved, whether it is through holding their own workshops or showcasing their art." 

The former cinema building was purpose-built in 1914 and closed in 1960, before becoming the home to the Italian restaurant chain Prezzo for nearly two decades. 

Prezzo closed its doors for the last time last year when the chain axed 46 of its restaurants.

Beccles also had a cinema called The Regal in Ballygate.