Curzon Grants safeguard future of cinema
CLEVEDON’S Curzon Cinema has been awarded a cash lifeline of more than £90,000 to help secure its future.
The 108-year-old cinema reopened earlier this month when North Somerset was put into Tier 2.
But it was only open for a few days before the district was placed back in Tier 3 by the Government due to rising cases of coronavirus.
The cinema had initially reopened in October following the first government lockdown and completion of a £650,000 project to repair its leaky roof.
But it was forced to close again after the second national lockdown came into place in November followed by North Somerset being put into Tier 3.
Bosses at the cinema say the continued shutdowns have seen the picture house’s income plummet by two thirds, but the cash grants have set aside concerns the cinema may have to close permanently.
The cinema was awarded £83,342 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund and a £9,847 British Film Industry safety grant.
Curzon chief executive Suzannah Shaw said: “With the Curzon’s capacity reduced by two-thirds, our loss of income has been dramatic and, without grants such as these, it is possible that this 108-year-old business would have had to permanently close.
“It has been deeply reassuring to know that our costs to welcome back audiences to a safe and well planned experience at the Curzon have been met.
“Our cinema is a vital hub of culture for our region, and we were able to enjoy the sight of greater numbers than we hoped for coming through our doors for the brief period we were open, between October 16 and November 3, showing audience confidence that coming back to the cinema would be a safe experience.”
The cinema is now planning to reopen when allowed to do so and is already planning a programme of films and events for spring.
Hilary Neal, chair of trustees, said: “We have been relieved and delighted to receive support from the Cultural Recovery Fund.
“This has been an essential lifeline to enable the Curzon to welcome audiences back safely and to present an exciting programme of events in the coming months.
“The Curzon is immensely grateful for this grant and relieved that we can continue to plan ahead for a better 2021.
More than 200 independent cinemas across the country are being supported this Christmas with £16 million in grants from the Government’s £1.57 billion Cultural Recovery Fund.
A series of Covid measures have been put in place to ensure people can visit the Curzon safely.
The number of people allowed at screenings has been vastly reduced, seats for screenings are numbered, and hand sanitisers are dotted around the auditorium.
This year was the first time that the independently operated cinema, which opened in 1912 and stayed open through the first and second world wars, had been forced to close.