Cinema celebrates 15th birthday

PARKWAY Cinema Barnsley will be celebrating its 15th anniversary this weekend.

The cinema first opened in August 2007 following a refit of the former Odeon Cinema which closed in September 2005.

The director, Rob Younger, opened the cinema after realising what the town was missing after the Odeon’s closure left the centre without a cinema.

He enlisted his friend and colleague, Gerald Parkes, who had cinemas in other areas, and together they took on the challenege of re-opening the old Odeon.

Parkway Cinema has attracted a loyal audience for mainstream titles, events and live stage performances and staved off early fears its survival would be short lived.

The cinema offers selected 35mm and 70mm film screenings, giving audiences what many consider to be the authentic cinema experience.

Parkway is one of the few cinemas in the UK that can screen these formats.

Director Rob Younger said: “Whilst we are very aware that Cineworld will be opening 13 screens across town in September, we are confident that we will survive.

“Our offer is totally different to a multiplex.

“We pride ourselves on our customer service and keen prices and will continue to offer an alternative, including the live shows and one-off screenings.”

In celebration of their 15th anniversary, Parkway Cinema will be offering 35mm screenings, backstage tours of the building, special offers on tickets and a 2-for-1 deal for patrons who bring in a 15th birthday card for them.