Campaigners singing to save Wolverhampton's Light House - VIDEO
Community groups and residents who rely on the Light House are issuing another plea to save the venue which is at risk of closure as it faces a funding crisis.
A desperate call to businesses and residents has been issued to help safeguard one of the city's most 'cherished assets'.
The Light House is a registered charity based in the historic Chubb Buildings since 1991 featuring an independent cinema, cafe bar and galleries. The venue shows current films, streamed live theatre and hosts community events.
But it has been struggling ever since it lost a council subsidy in 2015 – worth £73,000 a year.
Now community groups and residents who rely on the venue and visit regularly are calling for it the 'lifeline' facility to be saved – and telling others in the city to 'use or lose the venue' completely.
WATCH: Find out more on the campaign
Ann Lloyd from the Singing for Lung Health and Light House Larks group, said: "We would be devastated if it closes. The Light House is a very accessible venue – all of our members can get here.
"It is a community facility in the heart of Wolverhampton."
James Gulliford, a member of the Brain Tumour Support for Wolverhampton which meets once a month, said: "It is such a wonderful venue and it means a lot to our members who are at different stages of a brain tumour process. I have not actively had cancer for 11 years and I still use the group. It is a wonderful environment to have."
Maura Sherar, who attends the Spanish Cafe group, said: "You take things for granted until you lose the place. I would really miss it if it were to close.
"You don't realise how much really goes on here."
Light House chief executive, Kelly Jeffs, added: "Significant donations are starting to come in already but this is just the start. Light House belongs to Wolverhampton and we want to enable and encourage this enthusiasm which is needed now more than ever.
"The call to action is now. Come down, watch a film, buy a glass of wine, spread the word. Tell your friends and Save Light House, your city centre cinema."
To support the Light House, donations can be made directly to the cinema by cash or cheque payable to Light House Media Centre, or online via local giving.org/charity/lovelighthouse
