The Portsmouth Film Society is continuing construction of the ‘multi-purpose’ room, in the old Halifax branch on Palmerston Road.

So far £9,305 has been raised to refurbish the ‘one of a kind’ 40 seat venue, and work is nearing completion.

Aysegul Epengin, director of cinema development at Southsea, is delighted that the company will soon have a permanent space again.

She told The News: “Our crowdfunding is going incredibly well and I’m really happy with the money raised.”

“We have almost reached £10,000!

“Our projects were just a stage and a memory, not something we owned as a home.

“This new community cinema will now be our home, which we plan to keep for as many future generations as possible.”

The Portsmouth Film Society founder added that they have a 20-year lease on the building and essential construction work has already been completed.

Most of the ventilation and air conditioning installations have been completed, as well as the first stage of the electrical and other works.

Plans are also in place for volunteers and builders to work nights and weekends to keep the project moving forward.

Events organized by the company may come to an abrupt halt in March 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Slowly but surely, Ms Epengin began hosting outdoor screenings and drive-ins, but felt something was missing.

She said: “We are resuscitating the Portsmouth Film Society.

“We did outdoor cinemas and drive-ins, but we never had that sense of belonging and weren’t sure if we would continue our events.”

Ms Epengin, who has lived in Portsmouth for more than 17 years, said the new cinema will be a “versatile” venue.

It is expected that people will use the space for their own amateur theater and theater groups, children’s concerts, open mic nights and other functions.

The company also aims to organize art classes and film education workshops, as well as screenings for families and special accessible cinema sessions – using soft light – for the elderly and people with dementia. .

Ms Epengin said excitement around the cinema was growing, with people visiting the construction site to say what a wonderful idea it was.

Old wallpapers and paintings from former restaurants – Golden Egg Road (1977) and London Pride Restaurant (1981) – were found during the project.

The Portsmouth Film Society founder said she hopes to preserve the art and believes the new venue will be more than just a cinema.

She explained: “Covid has really oppressed us and we need to do more to be social again.

“It will allow people to have a social environment with those they know.

“I think it will be one of a kind and change the atmosphere of Palmerston Road.

“I love Southsea, and always wondered why we couldn’t have a small venue where I could walk and see something different.

“It will be a place where every local can take their kids, moms, or friends and enjoy something interesting and affordable.”

Subscribe here for unlimited access to all our coverage, including Pompey, for just 26p a day.