Independent cinema hub opens at Biscuit Factor y
A NEW community hub in Reading’s Broad Street Mall, Reading Biscuit Factory, has opened its doors for residents of the town and surrounding communities.
A former Argos store, the 14,000 sq ft multi-use venue is home to a threescreen independent cinema and event space, bar, food kiosks, coffee shop, live performance space and community hub.
To kickstart the cinema programme, Reading Biscuit Factory is screening a range of blockbusters and awardwinning independent titles – “films that people will generally have to travel to London to see” – including Nomadland, Summer of Soul and Another Round.
Full details of the film schedule can be found at https:// readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/whatson/
Reading Biscuit Factory membership offers a number of perks, including three free cinema tickets throughout the year, peaktime tickets at off-peak prices,
10 per cent off food and drinks in the venue, no booking fees and a three-month free trial with MUBI (screening service). To find out more and sign up, visit https:// readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/ membership/
Whether you want to host a private cast and crew screening, a daylong conference or a private event, Reading Biscuit Factory’s spaces and cinema screens are also available for private hire.
Reading Biscuit Factory will be open from 9am each day for those who want to meet over a cup of coffee.
The first film screenings will usually start from around 11am and the last around 8.30pm. The venue will generally close at 11.30pm, unless there is a special event (or a very long final film).
Founded in 2017, developer and operator Really Local Group creates and restores cultural infrastructure by ‘putting the heart back into the high street’. Its projects are
“In the Community. For the Community.” and are designed to embrace the culture of the surrounding area, responding to the local demographic’s needs and aspirations.
All venues are designed to provide affordable and inclusive cultural community ‘hubs’.
The venues will always have several cinema screens, along with live
entertainment space, a full-service bar and food offering, supporting local brands and food vendors to help boost the local economy. Many of the venues will include space for flexible working, reflecting postpandemic changes in how people work/commute.