‘Igloo’ cinema gets £10k lotto cash but will last just 4 days

AN “igloo-style” cineplex boasting a unique panoramic screen and costing £10,000 in grant funding is set to pop up in Dunbar – for just four days.

The pilot project is part of ambitious plans by a local community group to transform an eyesore site in the town.

If the pilot is a success it will look to raise £2 million to create a permanent complex with 360 degree projections in what would be the first attraction of its kind in Scotland.

The brainchild of Dunbar Shore and Harbour Neighbourhood Group, the “Igloovision” project would immerse visitors in a cocoon of images and sound – with plans to screen aquarium-style footage of Dunbar’s underwater ecosystem, Hollywood blockbusters or even high-octane console games.

Organisers received £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund to trial the concept with a “pop-up” structure being mounted at derelict ground on Lamer Street, near East Beach.

The firm Igloovision will now set up a temporary dome encasing the 12.5-metre cinema in Dunbar from November 22 to 25.

A permanent venue – that would be called Dunbar Coastlife Centre and house around 200 spectators – would be based around the same structure but with a solid aluminium shell and adjoining ticket area.

“At the moment we are excited about what seems to be limitless possibilities,” said Pippa Swan, chair of the neighbourhood group. “What we are hoping is that it will transform people’s vision of the town and bring people here.”

“Because it uses a digital product it can take projects of any image on film.”

She added: “Igloovision are central to it. They would provide the technology, and construct the screen for us.”

All visitors will enjoy free entry but are required to fill out a questionnaire about the concept. A “robust” feasibility study with a socio-economic evaluation will be conducted.

Maureen McGinn, chair of Big Lottery Fund Scotland, said: “Igloovision is a fantastic idea from a local group which has big ambitions for its community. We are delighted to be able to award this grant from our Investing in Ideas programme. It will give the Shore and Harbour Neighbourhood Group the time and space to test the feasibility of this exciting new project.”