The group behind bringing a cinema to Montrose has lodged a formal planning application with Angus Council.
The Montrose Playhouse Project hopes to transform the former swimming pool at the Mall into an independent cinema and have now submitted plans to be considered by the local authority.
David Paton, of the group, said he hoped the application would be supported by Angus Council.
He said: “If the council support the application I think it will be very well received by the community in Montrose. We have received £10,000 of lottery funding and £5,000 from First Port.
“This money has covered all the fees needed to submit the application. If the plans are approved then we will need to start applying for bigger sums of funding to complete the actual work.”
Independent cinema consultant Ron Inglis has also been hired to prepare a full business plan and feasibility study.
He has more than 30 years of experience in the industry and has been involved with the Dundee Contemporary Arts cinema in Dundee as well as facilities in Aberfeldy, Oban and Lerwick.
David added: “If everything goes well then hopefully in four or five months we will be able to do this and get the ball rolling again.”
It is estimated that the development could cost up to £3 million. The state-of-the-art cinema and arts centre would house three small screens as well as a cafe, exhibition space and rehearsal rooms for local groups.
Funding would be invested in multimedia equipment, which will allow live screenings to be shown. The group also plans to integrate educational films into its schedule.
The group identified the former swimming pool as situated in an ideal central location.
The sloping floor of the swimming pool would become the basis for the cinema’s tiered seating. The plans follow a survey in the town where 98% of those polled said they would use a cinema in Montrose.