Ipswich Borough Council has given the green light to a private company to run the Ipswich Film Theatre for the next five years.
Two specialist firms submitted detailed bids for the contract to manage the IFT and the Council selected Norwich-based Hollywood Cinemas. The decision will mean a big investment by the company, which will be able to screen films as soon as they are released.
The decision was debated and then upheld by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee.
The Council believes the decision will mean better facilities and faster access to the best films.
Councillor Judy Terry, the Borough Council's Arts, Culture & Leisure portfolio-holder, said: "We are delighted that the IFT now has a secure future. We consulted widely and look forward to working with Hollywood and to seeing new seating, excellent specialist films and slashing the subsidy from the council tax-payer. The IFT partnership will also benefit the Corn Exchange and we are grateful to the support of the IFT supporters' group and the Ipswich Film Society."