Wellington’s Clifton Cinema originally opened as a cinema in January 1937. It closed in 1983 and briefly reopened in 1987 for just 18 months before its final closure in December 1988.
In 2013, with the building standing empty, The Clifton Community Arts Centre (CCAC) was established, aiming to raise awareness and funds with a view to re-opening the cinema. For a long time they were unable to acquire the building; but in 2016-7 a lease was signed and Wellington Orbit, a cinema, arts and community centre, came into being.
Work started in 2018 and the cinema opened in June 2019. The next phase of the project will see additional rooms in the building developed for use by community groups.
