Dear all petition signers,

Firstly, thank you for 11,000 signatures! What started as a small act of defiance transformed into a community-wide campaign to save our cinema. Unifying those who care about film, those who wish to cultivate a thriving culture, and simply those concerned about losing an important part of the town that has stood strong for nearly a century, it's thanks to all of you that we've gotten this far. 

I would like to apologise for the lack of updates these previous months. We met with MP Wendy Chamberlain in November, who promised us she would take matters into her own hands, and has been fighting for a chance to negotiate with T-Squared Social and David Morris ever since. We've managed to secure a meeting for 15th February where we hope a better alternative can be arranged that benefits the people of St Andrews.

However, concerning news has just broken out as it pertains to T-Squared’s intentions. According to The Scotsman (https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/tiger-woods-justin-timberlake-forge-ahead-with-sports-gastro-pub-plan-for-st-andrews-as-cinema-set-to-close-4494576 they wish to go ahead regardless of the backlash, citing the cinema’s financial difficulties as their reason for pushing forward their plan with no amendment. They promise ONE screen (out of a current three) will continue operation, but that this would be forced to share time with their various other entertainment plans. The cinema’s programming deserves better - when Saltburn released, screenings were filled with eager audiences. Such a transformation would completely drive away all cinema out of St Andrews and towards Dundee.

We demand a cease to this encroachment of our cultural and entertainment space! If the cinema is experiencing difficulties because they are not attracting the desired audiences, then it is their own poor choice of films causing this issue. The cinema can be improved, we should not give in to this pressure! Films worldwide have never been as good as they are now, but these are not getting the attention they deserve. If he is struggling to maintain the cinema as he claims, then we extend our hand to help Mr Morris with running the cinema, to achieve success just as the Dundee Contemporary Arts has achieved.

If you agree with our plea, then please continue to share our petition and talk about how you feel online and to other people in town. Write (courteously please) to MP Chamberlain and to your local councillors to make it clear that we will not give up!

Thank you for your time and support in these difficult times.