It's official – Royston’s cinema is coming back!
Last night, Royston Town Council approved plans to relaunch the Town Hall as The Royston Venue – a major step forward for our town and a promise delivered by your Royston Liberal Democrat councillors.
Two years after the closure of the Royston Picture Palace, this decision means films will once again be screened in the heart of Royston. But it goes further than that. The Royston Venue will be a true community hub: hosting pantomimes, live performances, exercise and dance classes, cookery sessions, Silver Sunday clubs, parties, and much more – all in a flexible, affordable, walk-to venue for residents of all ages.
This achievement is the result of months of hard work led by Councillor Ed Nutting, who was elected on a clear mandate to reopen the cinema and make better use of the Town Hall – and who has now delivered. Ed has been supported by a committed team of Royston Liberal Democrat councillors and members, working closely with volunteers, local groups and council officers to produce a detailed, cost-conscious plan that puts the community first.
Councillor Ed Nutting, who led the development of the plan, said it delivers what local people want while keeping costs under control. “I want to thank the people of Royston for the support they’ve shown for bringing the cinema back and for backing a more ambitious vision for the Town Hall,” he said. “This has taken persistence and hard work, but we now have a plan that reopens film screenings, creates a true community hub, and does so without placing a major financial burden on the town. I’m proud to have led this work and to see it reach this stage.”
Councillor Tim Johnson highlighted the scale of collaboration behind the proposal. “This has been a real team effort,” he said. “So many people have contributed their time, expertise and local knowledge to get this right — councillors, officers, volunteers and residents. A huge amount of work has gone into learning from the past and building something sustainable for the future, and I’m genuinely excited to see The Royston Venue get started.”
The plans include regular film screenings, a restored stage, and space for pantomimes, live performances, dance and exercise classes, cookery workshops, parties and community groups such as a Silver Sunday club. Importantly, the proposal is designed to make better use of an existing town asset while keeping activities affordable and accessible, particularly at a time when rising travel and living costs make local provision more important than ever.
Approved by the council last night, The Royston Venue marks a significant step forward for the town, restoring regular entertainment, supporting local groups and bringing more life into the town centre. For the Liberal Democrats, it represents a clear example of community-led leadership turning local concerns into practical action — and a new chapter for one of Royston’s most important buildings.
We want to say a huge thank you to our Liberal Democrat members and supporters who helped shape this proposal and kept pushing for a positive future for the Town Hall. This is local Liberal Democrat action in practice: listening to residents, doing the work, and getting results for Royston.
