Liberty British Aluminium has agreed to invest £20,000 into Lochaber’s Highland Cinema for its first year of operation.
The money will cover the cost of 20,000 Lochaber residents having a free annual membership card, entitling them to a 30% discount on cinema tickets for eight months of the year.
A spokesman for the company said: “Liberty British Aluminium is conscious of the need to improve local amenities in Fort William not just for the benefit of our workforce and their families, but also to entice new people from wider Scotland to live and work in the area as we develop further manufacturing operations here.
“Our contribution to this exciting community project is recognition of the vital contribution our employees make on a day-to-day basis and the support the wider community has provided in backing our future plans across the smelter, hydro-plant and the wider Jahama Highland Estate.
“This is part of our ongoing commitment to support the local community and we hope we can continue to invest in the operation of the cinema going forward.”
Cinema developer Angus MacDonald said he was delighted with the support that Liberty had given the project.
Mr MacDonald, who also owns the town’s Highland Bookshop, said: “It is good to know that Liberty are on board with the cinema and want to support us.
“We think that a membership card for locals is a great idea, and the fact it will be called The Liberty Card, just shows what they are willing to do to get everyone in the area on board with the cinema.”