Merlin Cinemas’ founder, Geoff Greaves, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year honours list for his outstanding services to cinema.
The cinema chain was founded in 1990 and operates 18 venues across the country, including two in Scotland.
The Ayr cinema opened in March last year after the closure of the long-standing Odeon cinema in the same building.
At the time, the founder said: “I have a particular passion for saving old cinemas. Cinemas tend to be in multiplex buildings out of towns. They don’t have the same atmosphere and experience as these buildings.
“I am very keen to try and make them work again. In years to come these traditional cinemas in the UK will be few and far between.
“It is lovely to see these cinemas brought back to life. We want to make the cinema prices affordable for people, so they can come regularly. We need people to come and see the movies for us to continue offering the price.
“We can make it work if we get the local support. There has been more enthusiasm for this one reopening compared to others.”
An Astoria Ayr spokesperson said: “We’re kicking off 2025 on a high note with some incredible news.
“A huge congratulations to Geoff on this well-deserved recognition of his passion and dedication to keeping the magic of cinema alive in local communities.”