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Arthouse film switch welcomed
PEOPLE wanting to see arthouse movies in Hull will be watching them from the comfort of a new cinema from next spring, ending a long wrangle over the future of Hull Screen.
Hull Council's cabinet yesterday agreed to close the facility at the University of Lincoln and transfer it to the Reel Cinemas venue at St Stephen's.
The move will mean arthouse films being shown every day of the week again at a central location, close to the rail and bus station and near cafes.
Audiences have been in decline since the cinema moved out of Central Library and Friends of Hull Screen hope the move will inspire more people to support independent cinema.
At a meeting held behind closed doors at Hull's Guildhall Lib Dem councillors were presented with three options – including closing Hull Screen altogether –- but opted for the transfer, which will still cost the taxpayer 80,000 a year through a subsidy.
The subsidy is around 40,000 less than the current cost of showing films at the university venue in George Street three days a week.
Papers leaked to the Yorkshire Post say the cinema only attracted an audience of around 7,450 last year.
Susan Harr, co-founder of Friends of Hull Screen which now numbers 500, said: "It is excellent news – it is what we have been waiting for. We wanted to be sure that the existing staff were being treated fairly.
"I think it will be a lot more convenient for people – especially for those who don't have transport – who can just get a bus to the interchange. There are eating places and cafe bars round there and people can meet up beforehand.
"We are extremely grateful, of course, to the University of Lincoln having allowed us to use their venue.
"It wasn't ideal but it was only meant to be temporary and it kept things going."
Reel is promising a minimum of seven arthouse screenings a week, as well as classic reruns and children's films, subject to market demand and viability.
It has also pledged to continue playing a part in the Hull Short Film Festival and proactively to promote arthouse cinema in the city.
The company's proposal states: "Reel Cinemas are keen to develop a diverse programme that reflects the diversity of the community and celebrate global events through arthouse cinema. We propose in partnership with Hull Council and Friends of Hull Screen to develop a series of foreign language and special interest films in association with community leaders."
Hull Screen, which employs eight people, most part-time, is one of the oldest film theatres in the country. It opened in 1969 and was based at Central Library in Albion Street until December 2005. Staff who transfer to the new cinema will have their terms and conditions protected.
Council chiefs deemed it too expensive to run at the site and moved it to an adapted lecture theatre on the Lincoln University campus.
A digital projector worth 100,000 was installed, funded by the Digital Screen Network, as well as new sound systems.
But audiences dropped and campaigners battling to save the cinema said moving it from its central location was little short of disastrous.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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