The closure of the Curzon cinema in Ripon will not signal the end of big screen entertainment for city film lovers.
The Stray Ferret revealed last week the city’s only cinema will close on July 1 having failed to recover from covid.
But Sterne Properties Ltd, which owns the North Street premises that have been home to Curzon since 2013, has big plans for the building.
They include retaining one of the cinema screens to be run as a volunteer-led community project, following similar ventures across the UK.
In addition, the Ripon-based property development and investment company also wants to create new family-friendly facilities on site, subject to obtaining the necessary consents.
Director Robert Sterne told the Stray Ferret:
“It was disappointing to learn that Curzon have taken the decision to close their Ripon branch after operating the city’s cinema for the last decade.
“It has unquestionably been a valued asset to the community and it is sad to hear from many regular cinema goers to whom it’s a great loss.
“We have worked closely with Curzon to ensure the cinema’s success and when the pandemic struck we reduced the rent by half during and post-covid, which was conditional on them being open and serving the community.
“However in spite of our support and due to increasing economic pressures it has now become unviable for Curzon to remain open.
“We are now endeavouring to agree terms in order to take back possession of the premises – they are 10 years into a 25-year lease. Only then can we move forward with exciting new plans for our building.”
Looking to the future, Mr Sterne added:
“Film lovers can take comfort that one cinema screen will be retained to be run as a community project. That way overheads, and therefore ticket prices, can be reduced whilst continuing to show a range of great films and streaming of live events.
“In addition we are proposing to create a hub for the benefit of local and visiting families with a play centre, baby sensory activities, café/restaurant and retail unit. This is something that has been under-provided locally and for which we see a strong demand.”
Jake Garriock, head of distribution strategy and group publicity at Curzon, explained the reason behind the company’s plans to close its Ripon cinema last week.
He said:
“The cinema has specific challenges that have meant it has not recovered as we hoped after the pandemic.
“In recent years, with several new purpose-built cinemas opening in the area, the local audience has been spread too thinly for Ripon to thrive.”
Sterne Properties, which is also planning a community regeneration of Ripon Spa Baths, hopes to have the Curzon building back open to the public next year.
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Ripon Theatre Festival looks to build on success of inaugural year
The Ripon Theatre festival is set to return in 2023 after a successful first year.
The event will run for five nights and four days between June 7 and 11 and will feature both indoor and outdoor performances at venues across the city.
Festival director Katie Scott, told the Stray Ferret:
“We are aiming to build on the incredible first year response, which saw audiences of more than 2,500 people across four days.
“Another key aim is to make the festival as affordable and accessible as possible with a wide range of free entertainment popping up at locations across the city centre. Pop-up venues include the Market Place, Cathedral, Little Ripon Bookshop and Curzon Cinema as well as walkabout acts touring the streets of the city.”
Street performances proved popular at the 2022 festival
New this year is a dedicated family day in Ripon Spa Gardens on Sunday June 11, where everything will be free to watch. Events will include puppet shows, open-air theatre, community performances and hands-on activities.
Ms Scott, pointed out:
“As well as the weekend of pop up theatre and street entertainment, there will be a host of ticketed events at the wonderful studio space at Ripon Arts Hub, and a swashbuckling Robin Hood coming to Fountains Abbey with his merry men, courtesy of Illyria.
Fountains Abbey will provide a dramatic setting for Illyria’s performance of Robin Hood.
“The opening night, Wednesday June 7, will see young people leading the way as the festival works with the YMCA in promoting up-and-coming local theatre company Forget about the Dog with their intriguing show Happy Place.”
She added:
“The festival is also working with charity Ripon Dementia Forward to provide a sensory theatre show brought directly to two local and friendly community spaces.”
“Community performers are key to the weekend once again. Rehearsals start soon for the community cabaret event and Festival organisers also encourage any theatre groups, dance troupes, comedy acts or storytellers to get in touch if they’d like to take part in the pop-up events across the weekend.”
The festival is being supported by businesses who are sponsoring and helping keep the it affordable. The main sponsor is Wolseley UK and other corporate sponsors include Specsavers, Elstob & Elstob, Econ Engineering, Valentino’s Ristorante and The Arcade Ripon.
Event details are available at www.ripontheatrefestival.org or follow on Facebook @ripontheatrefestival
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Caffe Nero doubles the size of its Ripon premises
Coffee shop Caffe Nero has doubled the size of its premises on Market Place North in what is described as “vote of confidence” in Ripon.
The expansion was made possible after Sterne Properties Limited acquired the lease of the existing Caffe Nero and the adjacent property, which had been vacant since Leeds Building Society closed its Ripon branch in November 2020.
Tom Limbert, director of property consultants Central Retail, who acted on behalf of the international coffeehouse company, said:
“This is a prime corner site location and it’s a very positive move by Caffe Nero to double its size.”
Robert Sterne, director of Sterne Properties, told the Stray Ferret:
“We are delighted to have negotiated a ten year lease covering the newly-expanded premises and see this as a vote of confidence in Ripon from Caffe Nero.”
He added:
“This adds to our portfolio of investments in Ripon, where we have injected new life into empty properties by introducing leisure and hospitality uses.”
The company’s portfolio includes The Claro Lounge on Market Place South, Curzon Cinema on North Street and Coffee at Number 10 on Queen Street.
Sterne Properties, which has been investing in Ripon for 30 years, also owns the Halls of Ripon premises on Fishergate – where The Hive Cafe is located – and Appleton’s butchers on Market Place East.
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Long service award for former Ripon councillor
There was a full complement of Ripon city councillors and a unanimous vote of thanks to Charlie Powell, when the council held a special meeting to recognise his long service.
Over 19 years the former councillor, who retired from local politics at the May elections, served both the Moorside and Minster wards.
In addition to being a parish councillor, he also represented Ripon for 10 years as an independent on Harrogate Borough Council.
The long service award was presented by the Mayor and Mayoress of Ripon, Cllr Sid and Mrs Linda Hawke.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting, council leader Andrew Williams, said:
“Charlie served diligently and played a key role in a number of developments, not least his work in encouraging Curzon to open a cinema in the city, more than 30 years after the Palladium Picture House closed its doors.”
He added:
“With Curzon’s opening in 2013, local residents no longer had to make the journey to Harrogate or Thirsk to see the latest film releases.”
Curzon’s cinema on North Street Ripon
Cllr Pauline McHardy, said:
“Charlie has provided wonderful service to help improve the lives of people in Ripon and we all wish him a long and happy retirement from local politics.”
Before seeking election, Mr Powell served for 15 years in the Royal Engineers, then became a firefighter in Ripon for two years before starting out on a business career that took him all around the world.
He spent 18 years in Saudi Arabia, where he worked for the military aircraft division of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), then moved on to become a senior administrator with Waste Management International Ltd in Jeddah.
The business acumen that he gained over many years was put to good use in negotiations with Curzon and in guiding the development of Quarry Moor Park and Nature Reserve as a place for public enjoyment.
A former deputy mayor, he has also been a stalwart supporter of Ripon in Bloom.
Prolific Ripon author, poet and creative writer Maggie Cobbett will be among those in attendance when the Write-On Ripon open mic event returns on Thursday evening after a short break.
Maggie, one of the city’s best-known authors, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our ‘cavern of creativity’ as we call the cellar area at Curzon Cinema, is proving a great meeting place for all kinds of writers.
“The open mic evenings staged so far have attracted a broad base of talent, from first-time novelists to people seeking a platform to read out work jotted down in a notepad.”
Event organiser, creative writer and the founder of Ripon Spookers, Dion Child, said:
“It’s marvellous to have experienced and published authors like Maggie at our open mic evenings.
“I’m sure that those who are new to writing benefit from her friendly advice, while enjoying listening to her reading out poems and extracts from her books.
“We took a break in June because of the platinum jubilee and I suspect that the sights and sounds of that wonderful four days of celebration in the city will be reflected in some of the pieces that we hear on Thursday.”
The event, at Curzon Cinema on North Street, free to attend and runs from 7.30pm until 10pm
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Two free events for Ripon literary lovers on Thursday evening
Writers and poetry fans have a choice of two free events to attend in Ripon on Thursday at the library and Curzon Cinema.
At 7pm in the library, Rod Dimbleby from the Yorkshire Dialect Society, will speak about the life and work of John Hartley.
The prolific West Riding poet, author and performer, was born in Halifax in 1839 and was famous in Victorian England for his Yorkshire dialect poems.
After his work, Bite Bigger,was published by Alfred Wilson — a hatter by trade — Hartley’s career took off and was a sell-out hit that had to be re-printed because of demand.
Wilson, who became Hartley’s father-in-law when the poet married his daughter Sophia, published the Clock Almanack (named after the clock outside his hatter’s shop) and Hartley was the editor for more than 25 years.
Those wishing to attend Mr Dimbleby’s talk are asked to book tickets in advance
Write-on Ripon
Also on Thursday evening, with a start time of 7.30, Write-On Ripon is holding its third open mic evening at Curzon Cinema on North Street.
Dion Child, who launched the creative writing group last year, told the Stray Ferret:
“Our free-to-attend weekly meetings on Tuesday afternoons have attracted attendance from people ranging from published authors, such as Maggie Cobbett, to poets who enjoy playing with words.
“The open mic events, which began in February, are a natural extension of the writers’ group and provide a platform for writers to present their work to an audience of like-minded people.”
He added:
“I’m so pleased that they have taken off and we extend a welcoming hand to those among the ranks of Ripon writers, who want to come along.
“Curzon has kindly allowed us to use its facilities free of charge and the vaulted cellar under the cinema, where the acoustics and atmosphere are tremendous, has led us to give it the nickname of ‘the cavern of creativity’ in a nod to the Liverpool venue, from which the Fab Four found fame.”
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Write-On Ripon stages second open mic evening
Literature lovers are getting ready for the sequel to Write-On Ripon‘s first open mic evening in February.
The stylish brick-built basement under Curzon Cinema on North Street, will again be the venue for Monday night’s readings of poetry and prose..
Dion Child, who organises the writing group, told the Stray Ferret:
“The first event proved such a success, that we agreed on the night that we would come back for more.
“The 30 people who attended, were able to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, the great acoustics and the positive audience reaction, to an eclectic mixture of original works.”
Mr Child, himself a creative writer and poet, added:
“I am relatively new to Ripon and am absolutely knocked out by the depth of writing talent that I have seen from people of all ages in this magnificent and inspiring city.
“There is still room for more writers to join us on Monday and whether they want to read a short poem or story they have written, or simply listen to the words of others, all will be given a very warm welcome.”
Write-on Ripon Open Mic II begins at 7.30pm and entry is free. Further details are available here.
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Curzon Ripon is back with a Bond blockbuster
The finishing touches are being put in place ahead of Thursday’s reopening of Ripon’s Curzon Cinema.
More than 18 months after the two-screen cinema closed its doors because of the coronavirus crisis, filmgoers will be able to take their seats for the much-anticipated James Bond blockbuster, No Time to Die.
Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as 007 looks sure to attract large audiences.
The 8.30pm screening on Thursday is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the 5pm and 7pm showings of the film.
Ripon Curzon is set to reopen on Thursday.
Screening times, membership and bookings details for the Ripon venue are now available online.
With two screens, the premises on North Street are the smallest of Curzon’s 14 UK locations.
Initial plans to reopen on 4 June were put on hold due to social distancing issues caused by the venue’s size.
When announcing the reopening, Becky Tobin, regional manager for cinema chain, said the team was “very excited” to finally be back:
She told the Stray Ferret:
“We are thrilled that our customers will also be seeing some familiar faces as a lot of the team decided to return and are looking forward to seeing our regulars and members again.
“The returning team, along with the new recruits, have been getting into the swing of things with some onsite training of our revamped food and drink menu.”
The venue will welcome back its patrons with James Bond-inspired martinis.
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The cinema, which opened in Ripon in November 2013, is part of a BAFTA award-winning company that allows members to view films at home through its streaming service, as well as in Curzon venues across the UK.
As the covid lockdown restrictions on cinemas and live theatre were progressively eased by the government this year, the Curzon remained closed in Ripon, sparking fears the city’s only cinema would not reopen.