It’s lights, camera and action as the silver screen returns
THE OWNER of a 108-year-old cinema that survived world wars and pandemics hopes to bounce back after closing for the first time ever.
Charles Morris says Elland’s Rex Cinema did not close for the Spanish Flu in 1918 or the Asian Flu pandemic in the 1950s. Not even the outbreak of war could keep the picture house closed more than a few days as authorities realised the nation needed entertainment to keep up spirits. However, Mr Morris was forced to shut on March 20 and furlough 80 per cent of his 52 staff at the six independent cinemas he owns, and had no
“I think it’ll be a few months before things get anywhere near normal.”
idea when he could re-open. While profits at the traditional Rex cinema – complete with a 1930s-style organ played before performances – plummeted, Mr Morris used the time to recharge. He made the most of the downtime too by ‘sprucing up the place’andisnowsetforrelaunch within the next two weeks. He said: “I still think people will come back once they’re allowed. “They have been stuck in the house for three months, people will just want to do get out and do something.” Mr Morris took over the Rex cinema 32 years ago, the first in a portfolio of traditional, independent cinemas at the heart of their communities that make up Morris Northern Cinemas. The others are the Picture House in Keighley, the Royalty in Windermere, the Roxy Cinema in Ulverston, Leeds’ Cottage Cinema, and the Plaza in Skipton. He takes a hands-on approach to his business and even sells ice cream during the intervals of performances. Mr Morris is no stranger to turbulent times, with the Rex struggling for numbers for the first 18 months of his ownership. He hopes it will be back to the future once he is able to open and crowds will come flocking back - just as they did for the showing of box office hits over the years. Mr Morris said: “Since lockdown, many films have been released straight onto streaming and there isn’t any big releases until at least the end of July. “I think it’ll be August before we see new films that will entice people back to the cinema. and a few months after that before things get anywhere near normal. Mr Morris said he has made approaches to source PPE for staff. He said he will open with a limited capacity and people will have to sit two metres apart.
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