In the small town of Brynmawr at the heart of the picturesque centre square is the well known Market Hall cinema.
Having first opened in 1894, it is the oldest cinema in Wales, overseeing not only the vast changes in the film and cinema industry since the late 1800s, but also the history of the Blaenau Gwent town itself.
Through the ups and downs of the town's economy, threats of closure, and even competition with bigger cinemas outside the borough, its presence within the community has remained a constant to the people of Blaenau Gwent over the years, something staff say is now more important than ever.
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Andrea Durban has helped run the cinema as one of its trustees since 2013 and says despite a number of challenges that have been thrown at staff in recent times, they have been able to carry on with a service they believe is crucial to the town.
She said: "Market Hall cinema is a hugely important part of the community in Blaeanu Gwent and everyone in the area absolutely loves it. To us it's a very iconic building even-though it's not listed, and is unique because it's so old, and because it's the focal point of our town which is very important to the surrounding areas.
"It is currently the only cinema in Blaenau Gwent, and in an area that is considered to be socially deprived offers low prices that everyone can afford as well. We haven't changed the prices since re-opening, charging £3.50 for children, £4.90 for adults or £14 for a family, alongside the fully stocked sweet shop that is also very competitive.
"We were shut for around 17 months due to different lockdowns and restrictions, which was scary as nobody knew if we would come out of it, but luckily there were grants available so we were able to keep our staff on furlough. We also used that time to come in and do different jobs, such as renovating the toilets and kitchen, cleaning the carpets, and doing general painting and decorating to prepare for when we could re-open.
"Obviously we've had to change the way we operated, putting in a one-way system, sanitising stations, and now the use of covid passes as well, but we've gone through worse things in the past and find that at the moment everyone has their pass ready to come in and it's working quite well."
The treasured Market Hall Cinema which boasts a 195-seat auditorium currently holds a variety of showings from those for the general public, to local schools, autistic screenings and screenings with the use of hearing loops as well.
It was named Cinema of the Year in 2014 shortly after a new board of trustees and well known actor turned patron, Michael Sheen took charge.
While it was closed in November 2016 for six months due to asbestos concerns, after a public outcry and fundraising campaign it re-opened the following May.
And as for Covid, while Andrea says it has been a very difficult time for the cinema industry as a whole over the last two years, she is grateful for the support they have received from everyone in Blaeanau Gwent to keep this cinema alive.
She said: "The support we have from the people in Blaenau Gwent is absolutely amazing, and to see how they get behind us really shows how important the cinema is. When we first opened back up this year it was almost as exciting as when we took it over in 2013, and it was so busy we sold out of popcorn and everything else in the shop.
"There has been a bit of a dip in numbers but that's throughout the UK cinema industry at the moment, and to be quite honest we just try to be positive, as we are all determined that this cinema is safe in our hands whatever happens.
"In fact we even hope to extend the cinema over the next couple of years adding a second screen which we need to keep people coming back with more films on offer. The plans are already in place to do this and we look forward to what the future holds for Market Hall."
Tracey Arnold has worked as a duty manager in the cinema for a little over two years and says after growing up visiting the cinema as a child herself, it gives her a great amount of pleasure being here now.
She said: "Market Hall cinema in Brynmawr is a very special place to work and I absolutely love my role here as one of the duty managers. I've been here for a couple of years and after growing up in Nantyglo and coming here as a child it makes it even more special to me.
"There have been challenges for us to face with the virus of course, but we have a great group of staff and have taken them all in our stride.
"l'm really looking forward to the Christmas period now, which is such a lovely time in Brynmawr cinema with all the decorations up and the different family events we put on for the children."
You can find out more information on the history of Market Hall, or what's on at the cinema here.
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