Bristol’s legendary 20th Century Flicks video shop has launched a crowd-funding campaign to help secure its future and develop what it hopes will be the ultimate store for film buffs.
The business has been a mecca for film fans across the region for more than 30 years with an eclectic mix of titles at its shop in Richmond Terrace, Clifton. It is now inviting pledges of not just money but also expertise and equipment to turn its vision into reality.
Supporters will be rewarded with a host of film-related incentives including free rentals, artwork and limited edition t-shirts. 
Knocked back by the banks, who it says were not interested in supplying the essential funding needed to realise the film shop’s expansion, 20th Century Films turned to Bristol social and creative crowd-funding platform Fundsurfer.com to help launch a fundraising campaign.
The business plans to relocate to Christmas Steps in the city centre to achieve its ambition of offering the UK’s largest collection of films to the public and consolidate its position as an integral part of Bristol’s thriving film.
The Fundsurfer.com campaign aims to raise £10,000. Funds will be used to support development plans including the creation of a large screening venue, a coffee house, online streaming service and film shop. There are also plans to add to its already expansive rental library of more than 18,000 films.
David Taylor of 20th Century Flicks said: “It’s important for Bristol that we stick around and we certainly don’t want to fade out like so many other indie record and video shops.
“Launching a crowd-funding campaign with Fundsurfer.com offers us a great platform for customers old and new to get involved in helping take this film business to the next level.
“Movie habits are moving into online, but there’s an important role for places like 20th Century Flicks to expand and offer something bigger, better and importantly more sustainable for the future. We hope Bristol’s film-loving population want to support what we’re doing.”
Anyone interested in getting involved can log onto the Fundsurfer.com website www.fundsurfer.com. Supporters can pledge anything from £1 and film-related rewards are on offer for pledges £5 and above.
To pledge skills, expertise or equipment such as furniture or decorating materials, email info@20thcenturyflicks.co.uk.
