Scala Worcester will create a dynamic new creative destination at the heart of Worcester, where people can come together to enjoy, imagine, and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Opening in 2027, Scala will offer live performance, independent film, music, talks, digital experiences, dance, workshops, exhibitions, festivals and special events. Scala is currently under construction in Angel Place.

Reel Memories: Scala Worcester – from Cinema Heritage to Digital Futures will run from October 2026 until May 2028 and without this funding from Heritage Fund the cinematic history, heritage and memories of Worcester could be lost for future generations.

Reel Memories will collect memories and documentation of Scala when it operated as a cinema, 1922 – 1973 and bring this heritage to life through film, exhibition, tours, immersive events, digital experiences, online tools and gamification.

Dr Hannah Phillips, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Scala Worcester said: “Our project will collect memories and documentation about Scala when it operated as a cinema from 1922-1973, alongside contextualising Worcester’s cinemagoing during this time.”

Hannah added: “The project will enable us to understand the role Scala played in bringing communities together when it was a cinema (1922 – 1973). Memories of Scala as a cinema are still just in living memory and we want to capture people’s memories and memorabilia whilst we can. Tickets stubs found during the refurbishment of Scala Worcester have already generated a flurry of responses and we look forward to hearing more stories.”

The Heritage Fund grant will enable Scala Worcester to appoint a Reel Memories Project Manager and Outreach and Education Co-ordinator to deliver memory sharing events, archival research, oral history and film projects with local pupils and people with memories of the cinema all resulting in a timeline and website summarising and sharing the collected heritage.

The project will culminate in 2028 at Scala Worcester with an immersive event showcasing the heritage through new interpretations including an interactive game, co-created film and exhibition, podcast plays and digital resources.

To deliver Reel Memories, Scala Worcester will work in partnership with Julia Letts of LettsTalk (Oral History), Stanley Rd Primary School, Newbridge School, Worcester City Council, Worcestershire Camera Club, Heart of Worcestershire College, University of Worcester, and Worcestershire Archives Service.

Scala Worcester, when it opens in Angel Place next year, will bring people together to enjoy, imagine and cultivate a more creative future for the city. Scala will be home to a 147-seat cinema and will feature an exciting programme of independent and event cinema. Scala Worcester’s vision is to be a centre for creativity in Worcester City Centre, where everyone feels welcome.