ARTHOUSE films and historical documentaries are set to be showcased at Hadleigh Old Fire Station as part of new exhibition.

Ambitious plans are in the pipeline to transform the Appliance Hall in the fire station, in High Road, Hadleigh into a temporary cinema next May for the Hadleigh in Place project.

Screenings will include a historical film on the Salvation Army in Hadleigh, an MOD documentary on Foulness and a special showing of the Dr Feelgood film Oil City Confidential on the bank holiday weekend on 24,25 and 26.

There will also be a programme of screenings, commissioned by local artist Mat Do, called Lead/Light on Hadleigh residents and their links to the east end on May 2, 9 and 24.

Ben Eastop, Estates and Regeneration Manager for the arts charity ACAVA, who run the facility, said: “The fire station has met all of our expectations and more really. It has become a real focus of art and culture in the town which previously didn’t exist in Hadleigh.

“We are trying to utilise the space to show historic films and documentaries on the local area for residents to enjoy.”

The fire station, which is Hadleigh’s oldest civic building, was reopened as an arts and community centre in 2011 after Essex County Council paid £500,000 for the building in 2010.

Since the revamp, community groups and artists from across south Essex have been fighting for places at the new venue as popularity has boomed.

Former Hadleigh firefighter Brian Hickey, who is now the building manager, said: “It is amazing how quickly these studios were snatched up by this group of artists who are essentially the nucleus of the centre.

“Since then it’s gone from strength to strength so much so that it’s becoming a real challenge fitting everyone in.”

Artists using the venue’s impressive studio spaces claim exhibiting at the new facility has helped boost their profile.

Oil painter Barry Andrews, 61, said: ““I have had two exhibitions in Harlow and Leigh on the back of exhibiting here where people have seen my work at the station and signed me up for other events, which is great.”

“This is such a brilliant facility. There is a real community here and bond between the artists, and local people have gotten used to us being here so they often come upstairs and view our work in process.”

For more information contact www.hofs.org.uk