Fears growing over future of town’s cinema (From Worcester News)

Fears growing over future of town’s cinema

2:50pm Tuesday 23rd December 2008 in News

CONCERNED: Ben Bydawell outside the Regal cinema in Tenbury Wells.

FEARS are growing for the future of Tenbury’s Regal Cinema after a spate of recent loss-making shows.

Box office smash Mamma Mia! was a huge success in the town but of the last 11 films shown at the Regal, nine have lost money.

Volunteers, who hire the building from Tenbury Town Council, are putting time and energy into the cinema but need audience numbers to improve.

The council has received more than £5,000 in cinema rent over the past year and a three-day run costs about £350 in transport and film costs.

Ben Bydawell, who has led the project since the summer of 2007, said an audience of 70 to 80 was needed for a film to break even.

“Four stewards are required to be present during performances and one recent showing attracted just five paying filmgoers. With tickets priced at £4 and £3 for concessions, the figures do not add up,” he said.

“The council has projected an increase of four per cent in the income from the cinema for next year. They were asked to reduce the hire fee for a Christmas film special for local school children but this was turned down.

“The council will face a bigger loss to the coffers if films are no longer viable at the Regal.”

Volunteer David Hambelton compared the cinema to another in Worcestershire which closed five years ago.

“The success of Mamma Mia! may regrettably be the downfall of this unique Art Deco cinema,” said Mr Hambelton.

“There is the illusion that the cinema is profitable. Hundreds queued in Teme Street to see the film for which a journey to Hereford, Worcester or Ludlow would otherwise have been necessary. Unfortunately, one only has to look to the Regal Evesham for a parallel.

“In 2002 crowds queued to see Harry Potter and the cinema received a grade two listing and on May 1, 2003, it closed.”

Volunteers will be hoping the return of James Bond in Quantum of Solace will have crowds flocking back to the Regal Tenbury Wells in the new year.

The film’s run starts on January 3 and others are in the pipeline – provided the cinema can keep going.

An open day is also planned for January 19 when film lovers can bid for movie posters, exchange views and show support for the Regal over a cup of tea.