Oban cinema Judi Dench helped to save is up for sale

Dame Judi Dench was among supporters of Oban's cinema 13 years ago

A Scottish cinema that Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench once helped to save has been put for sale.

The community-owned Oban Phoenix Cinema has been closed since the end of May after a fall in ticket sales and rising operating costs.

The building, which has two screens, is on the market for offers over £250,000.

Dame Judi, whose many films include Mrs Brown, Shakespeare in Love and Skyfall, supported a campaign in 2011 to keep the cinema open after its then operator went into liquidation.

The cinema has two screens

The Phoenix is Oban's only cinema. It was first opened in the 1950s, but the Argyll town had cinemas before that time.

On May 29, its board of trustees said it would be closed until further notice.

The cinema is mostly set out over a ground floor area with offices and storage on the first floor.

Screen one is the largest of the auditoriums and has seating for 148 people, while screen two has 22 seats.

Also for sale is £24,000 of cinema equipment.

'Difficult time'

Scottish TV and film director Donald Coutts, who was previously involved with Cromarty Film Society in the Highlands, said many community cinemas were struggling.

He said: "I think it is a really difficult time for cinema.

"Video and on-demand platforms have made the role of cinema questionable because now films are being premiered and released in a much cheaper way."

Mr Coutts added: "That experience of watching a film with people you know is wonderful.

"With the closing of the cinema in Oban it's sad if that experience is not reopened to people."