Former Photography Studio To Be Transformed Into Cinema

A young Greenock businessman is a step closer to REEL-ising his dream of opening a cinema in Gourock after councillors approved his proposal. 

At a recent meeting of the council's licensing board, Clyde Murray's application for a provisional premises licence was granted. 

Clyde is in the process of transforming the former George Young photography studio on Kempock Street into a small-scale picture house. 

The application for the licence sets out plans for a low-capacity cinema, cocktail bar, and foyer seating area, as well as a conservatory bar/seating area, and an outdoor seating area. 

The licensing board granted the licence to PictureHoose Limited subject to conditions, which include representations put forward by Police Scotland. 

Speaking after the meeting, Clyde, 21, said: "I am super, super chuffed. It's a massive weight off my shoulders.

"It shows that the council know what I am doing with the premises and that I can sell alcohol, and they accept what I'm planning to do.

"I'm looking to get the completion certificate over the next couple of weeks.

"This is definitely a step in the right direction, and I am absolutely buzzing to get going properly."

Clyde's application received two objections, and one of the letters of objection was read out at the meeting. 

It highlighted the location of the development at 76-80 Kempock Street as a quiet area for residents, noting that the shore front of Kempock Street is 'historically the only quiet part of the street'. 

The letter states the adjacent properties are occupied by older residents and puts forward a strong objection to the opening hours proposed due to the potential for increase in traffic. 

In response to the letter, Clyde said: "It's a small cinema and it will be very low impact. 

"It's the high street of Gourock and there are already premises there.

"It's been lying empty for four or five years and was an eyesore, so I hope that people will think that these plans are improving the area.

"In terms of the opening hours, I can only reassure people that Monday and Tuesday will be quieter days. 

"It's not likely that a lot of people leaving at midnight on those nights."

Clyde's proposed PictureHoose will have a capacity of 50 people and will be open from noon to midnight Monday to Thursday and on a Sunday, and noon to 1am on Friday and Saturday. 

The Greenock businessman wants to serve bar meals, provide a reception room, and offer recorded music, films, theatre, and outside drinking facilities. 

The cinema room will have the potential to be used as a games room. 

Children and young people will have access to the premises when accompanied by suitable adult until 10.30pm, in accordance with the licensing board's children and young persons in licensed premises policy.

Police Scotland's representations include a 9pm outdoor drinking limit, drinks presented in plastic or toughened glass outdoors, and no drinking while standing up. 

The outside drinking area should be clearly designated, should have defined entry and exit points, and should be supervised by a member of staff.

Clyde said: "We won't be encouraging boisterous behaviour. 

"It will be a quiet atmosphere and the cinema will be there as an aid to relaxation. 

"We will have CCTV in every room apart from in the toilets, and there will be gender neutral, single stall bathrooms. 

"We are encouraging an atmosphere of respect.

"I'm very accepting of all conditions put forward by Police Scotland."

The unit was let by the Home of Property - Bowman Rebecchi with further support provided by Rebecchi Architectural with the building warrant.

This article and image appeared in The Greenock Telegraph.