Rocketing bills a reel big problem
AN independent cinema in a small Welsh town is facing a desperate battle to stay alive because rocketing energy prices means it’s spending more money on bills than it is making on ticket sales. Cross Hands Public Hall and Cinema was originally built in the 1910s and is run by volunteers from the local area.
It is a building rich in history which has welcomed and entertained people for generations, but due to the ongoing cost of living crisis and spiralling energy costs, its very existence is under threat.
The historic nature of the building creates a unique cinema experience for film fans, with new and current movies being shown on the big screen in an art deco surroundings from only £6 per ticket for adults, with children from as little as £3.50.
But, according to the cinema, there is a real danger that this wonderful old building of the past could become lost in time permanently if things don’t change. “Unfortunately, we do have some very sad news to tell you,” said Tracy Thomas, the cinema’s manager.
“Since re-opening in November 2021 after the two-year closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the hall has not been getting enough audiences in for the films. We’ve had the odd excellent evening, but simply not enough to keep going.
“Obviously, the energy crisis is the main cause in that we’re paying out more in bills than we’re bringing in. We were never for-profit but to pay for the upkeep of the hall is tremendous. Heating, lighting, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, health and safety... the list goes on. At our recent committee meeting, it was agreed that we are going to have to seek substantial grant aid and or funding in one way or another, or we may not be able to continue operating.”
The hall you see today in Cross Hands opened in the 1930s thanks to the Miner’s Welfare Institute, with the upkeep of the hall being funded by local miners contributing 1p a week from their pay packets.
Decades later, the demise of the coal industry in the area and across Wales as a whole meant that the hall closed in 1984 and was left empty and uncared for for a number of years. However, after a lot of hard work which resulted in securing grant money to rejuvenate the venue, it was able to reopen in April 1996 with a live concert performed by the Cross Hands District Ladies Choir and local schoolchildren.
Although it can still host live events, the hall’s main role today is that of an independent cinema, an attraction which has become an increasing rarity in South Wales in recent times.
Despite the struggles it currently faces, volunteers in Cross Hands are determined to keep the old hall – described as a “historical building owned by the people, for the people” – open.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to try to raise some much needed funds for the cinema so that it can keep going over what promises to be a challenging autumn and winter ahead. In two days, £1,200 has already been donated, but the venue needs more to ensure it can continue to offer a social outlet for locals and people from further afield for years to come.
“We are a small and totally independent cinema and we are totally reliant on people coming along to watch films,” said the cinema’s treasurer, Geoff Dawkins.
“It’s something of a hidden gem here in Cross Hands and I think many people don’t realise that it’s running as a cinema. The reason we have had to make an appeal for support is that we are not getting the numbers through the door.
“A cash injection would be great for the cinema but what we really want is to attract more people to come along. We run it for the community, and rather than people watching films on a small screen, we’d love them to come and watch films on a big screen here and be a part of that wider community.”
Manager Tracy added: “On and off, this beautiful hall has been the hub of society for nearly 90 years, with many amazingly energetic, enthusiastic trustee committee members and volunteers here every week to work in the shop, ticket booth, projector and marshalling.
“And we must not forget our regulars visiting and supporting the hall by coming to watch a film most weeks. If you can give anything, no matter how small, it will help us to keep our beautiful hall going.”