Brighton Cinema will stay true to arthouse roots (From The Argus)
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Brighton Cinema will stay true to arthouse roots
2:30pm Friday 7th December 2012 in News By John Keenan, business editor
The Duke of York's cinema is now part of the Cineworld chain
The boss of the oldest cinema in the UK has vowed to continue to show groundbreaking movies, despite being taken over by a multiplex.
Picturehouse, owner of the Duke of York’s, in Preston Road, Brighton, has been snapped up a in a £47.3 million deal by cinema chain Cineworld.
The move came as the arthouse cinema prepared to open two new screens at the Komedia arts venue in Gardner Street.
The opening last night featured a screening of the adaptation of The Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee.
Film buffs expressed concerns that the quirky character of the cinema could be changed.
Mike Dalley said: “I do hope that they will not change too much, but the move into the Komedia is brilliant.”
Andrew Allen said: “Really not sure about Cineworld buying PictureHouse. I'm a member of both, but I’m worried about the long term for local Duke Of York’s.”
Malcolm Harvey said: “How terribly sad. I sat in the back row with the first girl I ever took out. They can’t be allowed to change it.”
However, general manager John Barranechea, pictured above, dismissed concerns that the cinema will become more mainstream.
He said: “Nothing will change as far as our customers are concerned and we would not want it to.
“The Duke of Yorks in the UK’s oldest cinema and will continue to feature ground-breaking independent movies alongside blockbuster productions. There is already a Cineworld at the Marina so there is no need for us to become one.
“This does not affect our tenancy at Komedia. We have signed a long-term deal at the venue and we hope to be there as long as Komedia is there.”
He added that there would be no job losses at the Preston Circus cinema, which employs 40 people.
Picturehouse made sales of £30.3 million last year and a pretax profit of £2.5 million.
Separate operation
Cineworld, which runs 80 cinemas in the UK, including Brighton Marina, is issuing up to 6.9 million new shares to raise £16 million to fund the deal.
The multiplex giant said they will run the independent movie theatre operator as a separate entity.
Picturehouse is led by founder director Lyn Goleby, who will continue in her role as managing director of the chain.
Cineworld boss Stephen Wiener said: “We recognise that Picturehouse is valued by its customers and we look forward to supporting the business through the next phase of its development.”
Lyn Goleby said: “The opportunity to be part of a public company is great news for Picturehouse and our customers. We are known for our high quality city centre cinemas and our distinctive, wide-ranging programming.
“The unique character of Picturehouse cinemas will remain and our team will continue to bring the widest range of film to customers. This acquisition by Cineworld will accelerate the development of further Picturehouse cinemas around the country.”
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Comments(10)
Hove Actually
says...
3:30pm Fri 7 Dec 12
JantheWoman
says...
5:07pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Groundbreaking? Ha, ha, that's a good one.
Algeria Touchshriek
says...
7:57pm Fri 7 Dec 12
1. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Saw ALL 7 movies!!!!
3. Star Wars Original Trilogy (I know there are licence issues here!)
4. Dirty Harry Series
5. The Man With No Name Trilogy
Charge £30 for the whole night which will include a nice bit of grub, sweets and a beer,
Hey presto.
spencer2
says...
8:57pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Ps Glad I made a donation to their roof a few years ago. Effectively have just given my money away to a large capitalist machine - cheers - you couldn't make it up
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
10:00am Sat 8 Dec 12
As this company has no competition to force fares down one would expect this profit making privately owned company to be charged a toll for exclusive rights to the roadways which could be then passed on to local people's services.
Lady Smith
says...
12:11pm Sat 8 Dec 12
JantheWoman wrote:Yes, I fear this is the thin end of the wedge...another bit of what makes Brighton special bites the dust...>-(
This weekend I could go to see 7 Psychopaths at Odeon, Cineworld or Cineworld Komedia or I could go and see Sightseers at Cineworld or Cineworld Komedia.
Groundbreaking? Ha, ha, that's a good one.
brightonmike2011
says...
1:29pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Anyone who thinks DOYs doesn't show "hollywood" movies obviously hasn't visited the cinema in a very, very long time. Whilst it's all about independent cinema, they have always shown big films also, and movies such as 7 Psychopaths and The Hobbit are perfectly in line with their audience.
JantheWoman
says...
1:56pm Sat 8 Dec 12
brightonmike2011 wrote:I think you're right, Mike, they lost the plot a long time ago. The low point for me is when the DOY showed Made in Dagenham - how is that 'groundbreaking'?
Are people seriously suggesting Cineworld have already taken control of the listings? Utter rubbish, DOY's would have shown Pi, 7 Psychopaths and The Hobbit completely regardless of the takeover. They have nothing to do with it.
Anyone who thinks DOYs doesn't show "hollywood" movies obviously hasn't visited the cinema in a very, very long time. Whilst it's all about independent cinema, they have always shown big films also, and movies such as 7 Psychopaths and The Hobbit are perfectly in line with their audience.
My comment, not very well phrased admittedly, was that the new Komedia is simply showing stuff that I can already see elsewhere.
brightonbunny
says...
8:23pm Sat 8 Dec 12
Plush seats, legroom enough to satisfy any visiting giraffes, a full bar, delicious cakes/coffees and friendly, interested staff - and no "pick-n-mix" in sight!
A great new venue in the heart of our wonderful North Laine.
Of course it's a shame it is now part of Cineworld, but perhaps maybe the multiplexes will actually be taking a lesson from Duke of Yorks/Picturehouse on how to run a cinema properly - and according the the sales figures in the article, at a decent profit.
The only ways to make the new owners listen is to support our local DOY venues and show them this kind of listing and service level, is actually what cinema customers want.
raymondo999 says...
3:04pm Fri 7 Dec 12