Facebook group in call for reopening of Whitehaven's cinema
Last updated at 20:32, Thursday, 23 February 2012
A FACEBOOK group calling for a cinema to open in Whitehaven is gathering pace.
The Bring back cinema to Whitehaven group has attracted around 80 supporters since it was set up on Sunday.
Sellafield worker Richard Adair was inspired to create the online campaign group after watching the recent British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards on television.
He said: “I was watching the BAFTA awards, which were hosted by Stephen Fry, and at the end he said we should go and support the film industry and support our local cinema. It got me thinking, that it has been years since the Gaiety cinema closed in Whitehaven.”
The 30-year-old then set up the online campaign group which calls for either the Gaiety to be renovated and reopened or have a new cinema built in Whitehaven. The majority of local supporters so far say they would like to see the Gaiety cinema renovated and reopened.
The campaign has also attracted support from major entertainment organisations, including, the Orange Film Club, BAFTA and entertainment organisation IMDb.
Richard said: “People may like different genres, but everyone enjoys watching a film. I wanted to see if there was support for having a cinema in the town.”
Richard adds that he hopes to collate the views of online supporters and organise a petition for people to sign who are not online.
First published at 11:07, Thursday, 23 February 2012
Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk
This has been tried before. The cinema is actually in a good condition although the seating would need replaced and some other cash spent, but Graves (Cumberland) are just not interested.
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In Penrith they had a smaller cinema along the lines of the Gaiety. they got a grant for disabled access and installed a lift. they also made a small 2nd level access cinema with modern seats.
In the past 10 years cinema has had a revival. WREN grants are available for community facilities within 5 miles of a tip.
Parents would send kids to whitehaven toen centre to see pictures on their own, Would they send them to workington, to get another bus to cinema??
The access up so many stairs put people off, there are more flats in town now. A lift and another screen using the space up there, would that be viable??
Posted by would be cinema goer on 3 March 2012 at 22:47