A community group has raised a whopping £2.9 million to create an arts hub

An old picture house is set to be restored to its former glory after a mammoth fundraising effort from the local community.

The Fraser Centre Community Trust project to rebuild a former cinema in Tranent looked like it was facing crisis point in February when it realised it had to raise £400,000 by the end of March.

However, through a combination of design savings and additional fundraising, including a passionate response from the local community, the group has now said it has achieved its £2.9 million target and the project will go ahead.

The trust was formed by members of the community in 2011 with the vision to rebuild a semi-derelict former picture house into a hub for learning, development, arts and entertainment in the heart of the town.

Chairman Jonny Russell said: “The Fraser Centre Community Trust staff and volunteers are all very excited with the recent progress and look forward to completing the next stage of our project.

“The community as a whole has totally got behind what we’re doing and we want to reward them with an amazing state of the art venue”.

Demolition and building contracts have been signed and the project is expected to commence in the next few weeks. The trust will continue to fundraise for the purchase of cinema equipment, raked seating and decorative features which have been removed during the cost saving exercise.

East Lothian Council cabinet member for community wellbeing Jim Goodfellow said: “We have provided both advice and financial support towards this innovative project and it is excellent news that work will shortly begin to bring this into reality.

“I am sure the new centre will provide a go to place that will be enjoyed by the local community of all ages and interests.”