Following a busy festive period, The Poly in Falmouth has now temporarily closed its doors while some early spring cleaning is carried out.

The much-loved venue in Church Street, will re-open for the evening screening of Carol, on Monday, January 18.

Explaining the reasons for the January shut-down, Ruth Bedingham, joint chair of The Poly, said: “This will give us a chance to spruce The Poly up for 2016. We are investing money raised through the Poly Fund, the £1 extra audiences pay on each ticket, in some serious improvements to the ladies' toilets and redecorating the gents. We will also be redecorating the main entrance hallway.

"The Poly Fund, matched by Barclays Bank, will also be funding a structural survey by RTP Surveyors, which will give us a true picture of the state of repair of the building.” Barclays Bank generously matched the money raised The Poly trustees, from their Dr Zhivago night fund-raiser in December.

Looking to the future, Ruth added: “We were delighted to be awarded £20,000 from the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund, in partnership with Falmouth Town Council. We want to look at the various options for tackling the repair and accessibility issues we face, and get those options costed so that we can plan properly for our future. We love our building, but we also want to make it accessible to all and to update its facilities, so that it’s fit for the 21st century.”

As it is a Grade 2* listed building, The Poly trustee's will be getting advice from both Cornwall Council’s planning officers and conservation officers on any changes to the historic Falmouth building and will be inviting people to contribute to the public consultation that will be taking place.

The Poly is looking forward to an exciting spring. Main theatre film screenings will include Carol, The Emperor’s New Clothes with Russell Brand, and Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks, while The Poly Film Club, will be screening some great classics in the bar, including Withnail and I, Vertigo and Pulp Fiction.

Theatre Alibi will be returning to The Poly, and to Cornwall, for the first time in many years with their show Falling and the Jive Aces will be lighting up the stage with their luminescent yellow suits, brilliant musicianship and mad-cap sense of fun.

There’s also plenty of comedy to look forward to, including Rory McGrath, Colin Leggo and Mitch Benn. Henning Wehn will be back at The Poly in April, and Joe Lycett will be on stage in May. Full details of everything that’s coming up at The Poly can be found at www.thepoly.org, where you can also become a member or sign up as a volunteer.