Clark Contracts has officially completed the £2 million refurbishment of Edinburgh's beloved Filmhouse cinema, which reopened its doors to the public on Friday, 27 June 2025. The completion marks a significant moment for the cultural landmark, which had been closed for nearly three years following the collapse of its previous owner.

The vital renovation project was made possible by the success of the Edinburgh Filmhouse charity's "Open the Doors!" crowdfunder campaign, which garnered over £324,000 in public donations. Additional substantial funding contributions came from the UK Government's Levelling Up Community Ownership Fund, The City of Edinburgh Council, and Screen Scotland/Creative Scotland, alongside donations from A-list film stars.

Clark Contracts undertook extensive works, focusing on major enhancements to the building fabric. This included a comprehensive upgrade of the cinema screens, featuring new seating, improved legroom, and better sightlines across all three existing screens, with the added creation of a new fourth screen. As a Category B listed building, accessibility was a key consideration, leading to the formation of ground-level access into screen 2. Further improvements encompassed enhanced acoustics and heating/ventilation systems, alongside a complete renovation of the public toilets and a refurbishment of the Café-Bar and foyer areas to create more spacious and well-lit environments.


Andrew Simpson, Executive Director of Filmhouse, expressed his enthusiasm for the reopening: "The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond. We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future, and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. Filmhouse belongs to its community, and we're excited to welcome people back."

Gerry Cummins, Director at Clark Contracts, highlighted the firm's role in revitalising the venue: "It is fantastic to have been involved in this refurbishment and to breathe life back into the iconic Filmhouse. Throughout the works we recognised the importance of the historic features of the building and worked closely with Filmhouse and the wider design team to bring these plans to fruition. We hope that the community enjoy these new facilities for years to come."