SAVE
THE
TOWER
FOR THE COMMUNITY
Saved
TOGETHER — WE’VE SAVED THE TOWER!!! On April 1st 2026 (not a joke!), The Tower officially came into community ownership… and honestly — how incredible is that?! This is our win. Every share, every bit of support, every voice — it all got us here.
But now…⚡ the real journey begins.We’re on the road to reopening — bringing The Tower back to life as a buzzing hub of cinema, music, performance, events, and community energy. The plan? A “soft launch” around June 1st — expect an amazing mix of celebrations, entertainment, and good vibes as we open the doors again (with even more to come as we build to full power 💥).Now we need you again — and there are 3 HUGE ways you can help right now:🛠️
1. Get stuck inWe’re rolling up our sleeves and getting the place looking incredible — inside and out. Want to help? Drop us a message and we’ll get you involved.💛
2. Help us hit £10KWe’ve launched a JustGiving page to get things moving right now. Funds will go towards repairs, decorating, electrics, and essential equipment. Every donation gets us one step closer to full opening.🎟️
3. Show up and shout outWhen we open — be there. Buy tickets. Bring your mates. Make noise. This place thrives because you are in it.This isn’t just about reopening a venue.This is about unlocking everything The Tower can become — for all of us.Over the next 12 months, we’ve got the chance to build something truly special. Something lasting. Something ours.So let’s not slow down now…🔥
Let’s come together now and absolutely SMASH THIS.
You, supporting our fabulous committed Steering Group and Board, is how we’ve got here! In case you don’t already know, the 11 individuals who have led this community venture are Brian Sayer, Karen McGourlay, Dave Little, Dave Dunbar, Helen Ewing, Hilary Hennessy, Henry Boswell, Colin McKenzie, James Traynor, Michael Doyle & Donna Straton. 🙌🙌🙌
I Saved the Tower Pledge
Help us to purchase and re-open the Tower. We have launched I Saved The Tower Pledge Fund. By pledging an amount, you are basically saying that if together we are successful in our Scottish Land Fund application, you will turn that pledge into a donation which we will combine with the SLF’s funding to Purchase The Tower.
Welcome
So glad you made it.
This website is home to The Save The Tower Steering Group. A small but determined group of former staff, volunteers and patrons of the Tower Arts Centre and Cinema in Helensburgh. We decided to come together and explore the option of bringing the facility under community ownership after it closed for good in the first quarter of 2024.
The Steering group
What's the story?
A much loved venue...
The Tower Cinema was in operation from 2014-2023 as a cinema and arts venue. It has been, and continues to be, much loved and widely used by the residents in Helensburgh and the surrounding area. Pre-pandemic, the large venue on the site hosted many successful events. We now plan to buy part of the building, situated at 79-81 Sinclair Street, Helensburgh G84 8TG. The building was originally Saint Columba’s Church, built in 1861 and is owned by Visit Helensburgh, a private limited company. The owner has intimated that he is a willing seller.
The facility comprises two cinema spaces (40 and 20 seating capacity) and a further substantial space suitable for live music and other live events with capacity for 250. Films can also be shown in this large venue. There is also a fully licenced bar as well as a licenced shop selling alcohol, soft drinks, popcorn, chocolate etc.
Once we have secured the purchase of the building, we intend to re-establish the provision of cinema for the community, showing latest releases, periodic film festivals and live theatre streaming. We will also provide live performances in the main auditorium including bands, theatre and talks. It is important to note that Helensburgh and surrounding areas are, in terms of cinema and the arts, an underserved community – this was the only cinema in a 20-mile radius, serving rural Argyll communities as well as the nearby towns Dumbarton and Alexandria.
Get in Touch
About us
Within Community lies UNITY. And the idea of losing this cherished facility was not an option for a small, determined group of patrons, volunteers and staff of the Tower, who decided to come together and explore the option of bringing the Tower under community ownership. Could this be done? Would the support be there? There was only one way to find out. Flash forward to present day...
There are a lot of positive reasons for forging ahead. The current owner is willing to sell. The infrastructure for the business and building are already in place, so we are not starting from scratch, and we believe the support of the community is there for us to proceed.
