Ripon’s Curzon cinema finally looks set to reopen

There 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.’

Photo of Curzon Ripon

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 cinema-lovers pray for Curzon reopening

Concerned film lovers in Ripon are worried that the Curzon cinema will not reopen.

Cinemas across the country reopened this week but the Curzon in Ripon remained shut, prompting questions about its future.

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.

Photo of poster in the Curzon Cinema window

Freeze frame – this poster in the Curzon Cinema window for the film, The Truth, has been in place since March last year.

This has prompted posts on social media questioning if the cinema chain’s Ripon site will ever reopen.

The situation is 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 and there was 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 and Ripon isn’t among them.

The Stray Ferret sought clarification from Curzon and received a brief response saying:

“Curzon Ripon is planning on reopening June 4, 2021.”

The London-headquartered cinema chain opened in North Street in November 2013.

It followed a £2m refurbishment project, involving the creation of two cinema screens, a restaurant, bar and a private VIP area.

The building also incorporates nine flats.

Cinemas were able to reopen across the UK on Monday and Curzon’s three-screen theatre in Knutsford, Cheshire opened on that day for film and food.

It is one of the 12 UK venues currently featured on the company’s website – six of which are in London.

Other locations are Canterbury, Colchester, Oxford, Richmond and Sheffield.

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In 2013 Curzon was heralded for bringing the cinema-going experience back to Ripon for the first time in 31 years.

In 1982, the Palladium Picture House in Kirkgate closed.

The palladium opened in 1916 and was popular with the many troops stationed in the city during the First World War.

In 1936, the cinema was remodelled in art deco style.

The building was subsequently the location for Sly’s nightclub, a florists and now a second-hand shop.