Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
30
Nov
Is light at the end of the tunnel in bid to bring back cinema to Ripon?
On July 1, 2023, the Curzon cinema showed its last film in Ripon.
The loss of the city’s only cinema has been keenly felt. The Curzon showed an eclectic range of films and meant Riponians didn’t have to travel to Harrogate or Thirsk for their big screen fix.
The blow was softened when city-based property firm Sterne Properties Ltd, which owns the North Street premises, said it planned to continue showing films there as part of a wider community venture run by a new operator.
But more than two years on, the property remains empty.
The long-term vacancy of such a prominent building on North Street is frustrating all parties.
This week Rebecca Crallan, who owns ethical home and garden shop The Green House on North Street, said nearby businesses were suffering reduced footfall due.
Ms Crallan said:
When the cinema was open, businesses along North Street benefited from increased passing trade from not just cinema-goers but also people attending other activities in the building such as yoga classes. The cinema was a reason to visit this end of town, was a useful landmark for locating smaller businesses, and contributed to the hustle and bustle of this high street.
With the pressures on small businesses in the current economy, we don't want to see Ripon becoming a city of empty shopfronts, and developing this large area of North Street would be a real boon for residents and local businesses owners alike.
Rebecca Crallan, owner of The Green House
Curzon’s lease on the building still has 15 years left. Until it negotiates an exit from this with Sterne Properties, nothing can happen.
Ms Crallan said it seemed unfair that Curzon was blocking progress and she sympathised with the Sternes.
'We are as close as we have ever been'
Robert Sterne, managing director of Sterne Properties, said it had a “very credible” operator lined up to take over the running of the building.
One of the sticking points, he said, was that Curzon regarded its costly fit-out of the building as a valuable leasehold improvement “but we see it somewhat differently”.
How the site looks now.
He added Curzon was still responsible for repairs and alterations and could face a dilapidations claim at the end of its lease for deterioration to the property “so we are asking them to meet us somewhere in the middle”.
Another complicating factor is that Curzon was sold for £3.9 million last year to American investment company Fortress and negotiating a speedy exit from its Ripon leasehold doesn’t appear to be a high priority.
Nevertheless, Mr Sterne insists things are moving forward:
There has been a lot of progress because we have a credible plan and an active proposal to Curzon on more favourable terms than previously proposed. I’m hoping they see the benefits and we come to a deal.
We are as close as we have ever been to getting the cinema back open. It’s been incredibly frustrating. We don’t like to see any of our buildings vacant in Ripon and this is something the city really needs.
I’ve never said it will happen quickly but there is progress. We are dealing with it all the time and no-one wants to see it open more than us. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Lilla Bathurst
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon Business Improvement District, which aims to increase footfall in the city, said it was keen to see the building regenerated into a leisure space — a move she said would be welcomed by visitors, residents and businesses.
Ms Bathurst added:
Ripon BID will support any operator coming in and we very much hope that Curzon is able to reach an agreement soon to transfer the ownership back to the landlords, Sterne Properties, which would then facilitate this.
Many people will be hoping the final curtain comes down soon on the Curzon saga and cinema makes a rapid return to Ripon.
0