The magic of the movies in coming to Westbury as the town’s much-anticipated community cinema launches this Friday, 31st January, at the Laverton.
The opening night will feature the blockbuster Twisters, a 2024 hit starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, and Anthony Ramos, which made waves as the highest-grossing disaster movie on its opening weekend.
“We’re very excited about bringing Westbury Community Cinema to the town,” said Patrick McGowan from the organisers, Westbury Town Council. “Plans are going really well and feedback on social media and in person has been very positive; it’s clear people are looking forward to having a cinema in Westbury.”
Currently, Westbury residents must travel to neighbouring towns to enjoy a cinematic experience, but the Laverton’s new venture promises to change that. “Having a cinema in town will be a real benefit,” Patrick explained. “It gives local people the chance to enjoy films on the big screen without having to travel far. The Laverton is perfectly located, with most residents able to walk here, and there’s a car park right opposite.
Tickets are priced at a £5. “We wanted to make this as affordable as possible,” Patrick said. “At just £5. It’s great value, and with the bar open during screenings, it’s set to be a fun and sociable evening.”
The selection of Twisters as the debut film was a community-driven decision. “We conducted a poll, and Twisters was the clear favourite,” Patrick revealed. “Going forward, we’ll be asking residents for their input on which films to show, and we’ll do our best to achieve this.”
The cinema plans to host screenings once a month, with the potential for more frequent showings if the demand is there. Upcoming plans include blockbuster movies, classics, children’s films, and dementia-friendly screenings. “We want this to be a cinema for everyone,” Patrick said. “It’s all about bringing people together and making the most of this fantastic venue in the centre of Westbury.
“Hopefully local people will support a community cinema and enjoy the chance to watch a film in their home town.”
The first screening begins at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 7.00pm. The film is rated 12A and will conclude at approximately 9.30pm. To stay updated on future screenings and events, residents are encouraged to follow the town council’s social media channels.
With Westbury already hosting events like the chilli festival, soapbox derby, and Sunday brunches, the addition of a community cinema is another reason to celebrate life in Westbury. “It’s another great thing for the town to enjoy,” Patrick said. “We’re excited to see where this goes.”
