The cinema building is the property of Aberdeen City Council and is temporarily closed following the collapse of its former operator, the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI), in 2022.

[1] Belmont Community Cinema Ltd were named by Aberdeen City Council as preferred operator for the site in September 2023, with an expected reopening date of late 2024.

[3] The building was constructed in 1896 as a trades hall to a design by architects, Alexander Ellis and Robert Gordon Wilson.

[4] The first film was shown on the premises in 1898, and featured footage of Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle, establishing a tradition of hosting visiting cinema shows.

[10] At a public meeting in October 2023, the new company pledged to put film, education, community and customer experience at the heart of a newly reinvigorated offering at the site.