Keswick’s Alhambra Cinema is to relaunch accessible £5 matinee screenings from today (April 19).
It is an amalgamation of its ad hoc ‘relaxed’ screenings aimed at parents and babies and the £5 Friday initiative the cinema ran last summer.
“We are very keen that the Alhambra should be accessible for all and, while numbers are small for those who may need special accommodation, we know people are very grateful if provision is made for them,” said cinema co-owner Jonathan Moore.
The £5 Friday matinee screenings will provide a choice of film and location: either the 157-seat Screen 1 or the 28-seater studio Screen 2.
“It will hopefully fit the bill for lots of customers who might feel there are barriers to their visiting the cinema,” said co-owner Carol Rennie. “If the film has subtitles, we’ll use them, and if anyone would like us to turn the sound down a bit lower than usual, or leave the lights left on low, then they just need to ask, and we’ll do that.
“The main thing is, it’s a no-tutting environment, so that everyone feels welcome to attend, including those who have an infant with them, or who might themselves be a bit restless, and need to stretch their legs or frequently nip out to the loo during the screenings.
“They can be assured that at these ‘relaxed’ screenings, everyone is getting a cheaper ticket, and everyone knows that these screenings are there to accommodate anyone who might have additional needs.”
Keswick cafe owner Chinty Turnbull said: “This is a great initiative, which we’re sure will be very welcome.
“We’ll be promoting the screenings in our monthly newsletter. If it’s a social occasion that people are looking for, however, they should pop into our cafe to find out more about Chinty’s Film Club which we’re launching soon – classic films, in great company – come and see us to find out more!”
