Keswick’s Alhambra Cinema has delayed its reopening by a fortnight, meaning it could miss the predicted Bond-boom for the UK film industry.
Major building work this year have meant the venue remaining closed during one of the busiest summers Keswick has seen in recent memory.
Those involved had originally planned to open on Thursday, September 30 when Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007 is launched across the UK.
However, the cinema now won’t open until October 15 but owners hope people will still watch the spy thriller in Keswick.
“It was always going to be touch and go” said co-owner Jonathan Moore, “and realistically, although we’ve been making fantastic progress, we do need another four weeks to complete.
“Bond is the biggest film release of the last two years and we know demand will be huge.”
Co-owner Carol Rennie added: “Tickets for Bond at the Alhambra will go on sale on the 30th September, but we won’t hold it against anyone who goes elsewhere to catch the film on release.”
In some ways it is historically apt, as the Alhambra always used to be a ‘second run’ cinema, waiting for the reels to be shipped to Keswick from the west coast after films were first screened in Whitehaven and Workington.
“We’re sure plenty of people will still be queuing up to see the film here and we may have a little treat in store for Bond car lovers – we have contact with a DB6 and a V8 who might just be able to roll them out for our red carpet opening event.”
