Phoenix receives £350,000 towards redevelopment

Phoenix cinema and art centre in Leicester has received pledges of support worth £350,000 from two national funding organisations towards Phoenix 2020 – the charity’s plans to expand its current venue and become a four screen independent cinema by 2020.

Some £250,000 has been pledged by The Garfield Weston Foundation, a charitable grant-making foundation, and £100,000 from The Foyle Foundation, an independent grantmaking trust.

Phoenix now has 80% of the funds it requires to begin building in early 2020.

Phoenix says it is working hard to raise at least £500,000 more in the coming months and will be launching a public fundraising campaign in July.

The Phoenix 2020 expansion plans will see a 1,200 sq m extension added to the existing building. This will make space for two further cinema screens, a larger and more prominent digital art gallery with an atrium, a bigger café bar and new spaces for making and learning.

“It is hugely encouraging to have the support of both the Garfield Weston and Foyle foundations – two of the UK’s most respected charitable institutions investing money into Leicester,” said John Rance, chief executive of Phoenix.

“We are making strong progress towards our fundraising target and confident in our ability to raise the remaining funds we need. We would welcome any support to get us over the finish line.”