The venue became the main place of entertainment for the weavers, mill-workers, and other residents of Hebden Bridge and the upper Calder Valley and has been in continuous use as a cinema.It was saved for the town by the actions of the then Hebden Royd Urban District Council (HRUDC) who purchased it from private ownership for about £6,000.A community campaign called Friends of the Picture House emerged and a mass lobby of the CMBC in July 1999 resulted in the development plans being rejected.Since then there have been many upgrades and improvements to the cinema, the most important of which has been the installation of digital projection, ensuring the Picture House can continue to screen the latest film releases.Two members of the Friends attend the Town Council's Picture House management committee meetings to ensure that the views of the cinema-goers are well represented.
