The Curzon cinema in Ripon is set to reopen on September 30 with a screening of Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond in No Time To Die.
The two-screen North Street venue has been closed since the first covid lockdown in March last year.
Plans for it to reopen on June 4 were put on hold due to social distancing problems caused by the venue’s small size.
Becky Tobin, regional manager for Curzon, said the team was “very excited” to finally be reopening:
“We are thrilled that you will also be seeing some familiar faces as a lot of the team have decided to return and are looking forward to seeing our regulars and members again.
“The returning team, along with the new recruits, will be getting into the swing of things in the next few weeks with some onsite training of our revamped food and drink menu.”
The venue will welcome back its patrons with James Bond-inspired martinis.
Tickets will be for sale online as early as next week.
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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 earlier this year, the Curzon remained closed in Ripon, sparking fears the city’s only cinema would not reopen.
Ripon’s Curzon cinema finally looks set to reopenThere are finally positive signs that Curzon is planning to reopen its Ripon cinema, but the company says that the date is not yet known.
The premises on North Street have been closed since the first covid lockdown in March last year.
At present, Ripon is not listed among the 13 locations on the Curzon website, but a recruitment advert in the cinema’s windows suggest it is gearing up for a reopening.
However, when approached by the Stray Ferret about the duty manager position being advertised under the heading ‘We Are Recruiting’ a member of the Curzon customer service team, said:
“I can confirm that we are reopening but we do not have a date set yet for this to happen.”
The duty manager’s role is described by the cinema chain as involving ‘work alongside the general and assistant managers on all aspects of running the cinema.
This is currently the only role in Ripon being advertised on the jobs section of the Curzon website.
The advertisement in the windows at North Street says the company is seeking a person who, among other things, has ‘strong communication skills’ can ‘lead by example to provide top class customer service at all times’ and is willing to ‘act as an ambassador for Curzon at all times.’
Recruiting, but no confirmed reopening date as yet for Curzon’s Ripon cinema.
The London-headquartered BAFTA award-winning integrated film company was founded in 1934.
Alongside its cinemas, members can view film at their homes through its streaming service.
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As the covid lockdown restrictions on cinemas and live theatre were progressively eased by the government earlier this year, Curzon issued confusing and contradictory statements about its plans for the two-screen Ripon venue, when approached by the Stray Ferret for updates on its plans.
Curzon’s opening in Ripon in November 2013, provided film lovers in the city and the surrounding rural areas, with their first cinema since the closure in 1982 of the Palladium Picture House on Kirkgate.
Post lockdown, those seeking the cinema experience have been able to see films screened at Harrogate’s Odeon and Everyman.
Ripon Curzon won’t open on June 4 after allThe owners of the Curzon cinema in Ripon have said the venue won’t be reopening on June 4 after all.
On Tuesday, the London-headquartered cinema chain told the Stray Ferret:
“Curzon Ripon is planning on reopening June 4.”
Now the company has issued a new statement saying:
“Unfortunately, due to Curzon Ripon’s venue being so small, with only 20 seats, they are unable to open safely at present, with the government guidelines for social distancing.
“As soon as they can safely reopen there will be updates on the website.
“We apologise for the disappointment this may cause.
“But we want to be able to reopen safely whilst following guidelines. “
The North Street venue opened on 31 October 2013. It incorporates two screens seating 58 and 34 respectively.
The complex includes a bar, restaurant and VIP area. It was created following a £2 million refurbishment of a former furniture store.
The Stray Ferret contacted the company amid growing speculation on social media about whether or not the venue would reopen.
Cinemas across the country reopened this week but audience numbers are limited. But the Curzon in Ripon remained shut.
The cinema chain says Curzon Ripon is too small to open safely on June 4.
Ripon is no longer listed on the Curzon website page featuring its UK venues. In addition, the website for Curzon Ripon is currently coming up with the message ‘Page not found.’
The same applies to other web pages previously used to promote the Ripon offer.
The situation was further confused by apparently conflicting articles in national trade media.
An article in RadioTimes.com dated 4 May, said:
“Curzon is set to open in line with government guidance on May 17.
“Mayfair, Richmond, Wimbledon and Sheffield will open June 4. Tickets go on sale May 10. “
Ripon was not mentioned in that story.
There was also no reference to Ripon by name in an article published on Monday in screendaily.com .
Its 17 May story included the following:
“Eight Curzon cinemas are reopening from today (May 17), with a further five on June 4.”
That adds up to a total of 13 but there are only 12 Curzon cinemas listed on the company’s website.
Ripon isn’t among them.
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The 12 UK venues currently featured on the company’s website – include six in London.
Other locations are Canterbury, Colchester, Oxford, Richmond and Sheffield.
Tribute to Ripon’s deputy mayor for 20 years’ service to the cityAt Cllr Charlie Powell’s 80th birthday party this week – celebrated with a handful of fellow councillors and his wife and deputy mayoress Jill – there was a special surprise.
Cllr Peter Horton read out a document prepared by his family detailing his lifetime of achievement – including serving more than a quarter of his life on Ripon City Council.
Over more than 30 pages it covered the highlights in the councillor’s story of service and business success.
During 15 years in the Royal Engineers, he was posted to Germany, Northern Ireland, Aden, Libya, Borneo and Singapore.
After leaving the Army, in which he rose to the rank of sergeant, Cllr Powell served for two years as a fire fighter in Ripon.
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.
Cllr Powell played a key role in negotiating Curzon Cinema’s opening in Ripon
This was a role in which Cllr Powell represented his company as a guest of the Queen on the Royal Yacht Britannia.
He said:
“That was a remarkable honour and once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Although Army service and private sector work took him worldwide, Cllr Powell’s roots have remained firmly planted in Ripon, where his military career began.
At the age of 15, he attended the Army Apprentices School in Harrogate (now the Army Foundation College) and qualified as a carpenter, before joining the Royal Engineers.
He told the Stray Ferret:
“Ripon is my home and a city I take great pride in.
“It’s a special place with a long history, unique character and traditions that make it stand out – such as the nightly Hornblower ceremony at the obelisk.”
He has served for 21 years as a city councillor and has been deputy mayor since 2017.
There have been many highlights during his political career, including successful negotiations with Curzon, which led to the cinema operator opening in the city in 2013.
Cllr Powell’s business acumen also proved crucial in guiding the development of Quarry Moor Park and Nature Reserve as a place for public enjoyment.
He has also been a stalwart supporter of Ripon in Bloom.
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A job reference prepared by Mr K J Parfit, manager of support services for BAC at King Faisal Air Base, succinctly sums up the business capabilities that have subsequently been put to good use for the people of Ripon.
It read:
“I have no hesitation in recommending Mr Powell for any position requiring tact, intelligence and judgment.
“He has displayed all of these qualities in full measure.”