THE Galashiels cinema has received more than £200,000 to help secure its future amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Pavilion, on Market Street, has received the cash "to bridge the immediate financial gap".

And bosses say they are "extremely grateful" for the £207,362 grant, which is from the Scottish Government's Independent Cinema Recovery and Resilience Fund, and Screen Scotland.

Pavilion director Andrew Poole said: "The safety of our employees and customers is our highest priority and in Scotland we are operating under extraordinarily strict guidelines in order to ensure that safety.

"The result of which has a significant impact on the financial viability of the cinema.

"So we are extremely grateful to Screen Scotland for this funding which will ensure the Pavilion’s screens will stay lit and showing films well into 2021."

The Pavilion is among 30 independent cinemas and two touring operators to receive a share of £3.55million.

Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish cabinet secretary for culture, said: “We understand the severe impact this pandemic has had on businesses across Scotland, including our independent cinemas which play such an important role in communities across the country.

“We have had to make some really difficult decisions recently that will impact on cinemas which have worked so hard to reopen safely, but we have to put health considerations above everything else and I hope this funding, along with the business support that will be available, will help independent cinemas cope with all the challenges they face.

“Culture is vitally important to all of our lives, and we are determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis.

"This fund is part of the ongoing financial support the Scottish Government is making available to the sector.”

Last month, the Border Telegraph reported that the Pavilion Cinema had considered closing most of the week – in an attempt to offset the impact of coronavirus.

The news came at the same time that Cineworld revealed it would temporarily close its UK venues, while Odeon announced it would shut a quarter of its screens from Monday to Friday.

Sambrooke Scott, head of audience development at Screen Scotland, added: “Independent cinemas have always played a vital role in communities across Scotland, bringing people together to immerse themselves in great film experiences from filmmakers around the world, and around the corner.

“It’s been the most challenging of times for these hard-working venues but, with the help of Scottish Government and National Lottery support, they will continue to open and operate safely as local restrictions allow.

"By putting stringent measures in place to protect staff and audiences alike they will open where able and bring the magic and escapism of cinema back, which is something we need now more than ever.”