IF you have been missing sitting back with your popcorn and choc top ice cream due to COVID-19, spare a thought for the small players in the cinema industry.

Lockdowns and patron per square metre rules have been crippling the industry.

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The Morrison Government has announced an additional $9 million in grants through the $20 million Supporting Cinemas’ Retention Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods (SCREEN) Fund.

Liberal candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell has welcomed additional funding of $9 million for struggling independent cinemas.

“I welcome this extra funding support for independent cinemas such as Scotty’s Cinema Centre located in Raymond Terrace – the past two years have been a challenging time for many businesses, but regional cinemas have been hit particularly hard.

“This extra funding will enable cinemas such as Scotty’s to recover quicker and keep providing entertainment and delicious popcorn for families across our region,” Vitnell said.

In regional areas it is independent cinemas that provide entertainment to the community and visiting tourists.

These businesses are local and employ locals and they offer social and cultural opportunities to the communities which they are a part of.

198 independent cinemas have already been assisted through the program and grants under the second round of funding will be available to eligible cinemas which can demonstrate that their box office revenue for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 September 2021, was more than 30 per cent below their box office revenue for the corresponding period in 2019.

All other eligibility requirements for the second round of funding will be the same as for the first round.

Applications can be made after 24 December until 30 April 2022.

If you are looking for a great option to keep the kids entertained consider a trip to your local cinema and while you enjoy a choc top and a movie you can support a local business.

By Marian SAMPSON