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BBC News
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Community campaign to buy century-old Keighley cinema
The sale of a century-old cinema has been paused after local supporters launched a campaign to buy the building Picture House in Keighley, which first opened in 1913, has been owned by Bradford Council since the 1980s and is currently run by a council had put the site up for auction, but has agreed to halt the process while alternatives are Pearson, who has worked at the cinema for 50 years, said: "To me, this cinema is like another home. We're like one big happy family. It would be a real shame to see it go." Although the council said the operator's lease would transfer with the sale, tenant Charles Morris and his supporters fear a new landlord could raise rents in the future, or decide to convert the building into something else Town Council has pledged to find the £110,000 needed to meet the building's asking price. Local campaigners have also launched a £300,000 crowdfunding campaign to help pay for a buyout and secure the cinema's future in the longer term. Mr Pearson, who has been projectionist and duty manager and started at the cinema aged 16, said he had seen many "magical" highlights over the decades."For the 2022 premiere of The Railway Children Return, the place was packed - every seat filled, the cast, the producers, the director, even soap actors."Regular cinemagoer Alison Birdsall, 62, said: "I've been coming here since the late 1960s."My first date was here, watching Jaws. My son started working here when he was 16 - he's 29 now and still does shifts. This place did a lot for him. We don't want to see it go." Mrs Birdsall said her pregnant aunt "hung on" until the end of classic film Gone With The Wind during a screening in 1946 before rushing to the hospital to give Council had listed the Picture House for auction as part of a wider asset sell-off in the wake of its own unprecedented financial after mounting pressure - including a 4,000-name petition started by local MP Robbie Moore - the authority halted the sale and entered talks with the town council about a possible purchase Judson, of Keighley Civic Society and the town council, criticised the "atrocious" handling of the sale but was now hopeful of a solution. "In the grand scheme of things, we'll actually make a revenue on it in years to come," he said."At this time we are aiming to protect it, secure the long-term future of Keighley Picture House and get people back in the cinema." The Picture House has survived closure threats before, with Mr Morris and his family reopening it in 1996. Mr Morris, who runs five other picture houses across Yorkshire and the north, said it was "madness" to consider a sale - particularly during Bradford's City of Culture pointed out that Leeds City Council owns the Hyde Park Picture House and Bradford Council spent £50m renovating the Odeon as the Bradford Live venue."We've been struggling ever since lockdown. I certainly can't cope with any more expense," he said. "There are circumstances in which I might have to leave."A spokesperson for Bradford Council acknowledged "how important the Picture House is to the people of Keighley".They added: "The cinema business itself is not for sale. Any purchaser would simply assume the council's role as landlord. This is effectively a transfer of the freehold of a going concern." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Irish Sun
02-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Major boost for shoppers as popular food chain opens new flagship store in busy tourist spot in Ireland
IRISH foodies are set for a frenzy as a major UK bakery chain has opened their new flagship shop in Belfast - and it's close to a tourist hotspot. The iconic Advertisement 1 Greggs is opening their sixth store in Northern Ireland Credit: Alamy The It recently opened its fifth food outlet at The Junction Retail & Leisure Park in Antrim last month, creating 14 new jobs. On May 31, the sixth location was launched at The ARC development, which was described as a "key milestone" by Greggs as part of their expansion in The new store has produced 16 new jobs, part of around 100 new roles it's creating here through new openings. Advertisement READ MORE ON STORES New roles will include retail team members and managerial positions, with Charles Morris appointed as shop manager for the new location. It will offer Greggs' full menu of freshly prepared It will also include the classic breakfast rolls, deli-made lunches, yummy pastries, and hot and cold drinks. Talking to the Belfast Telegraph, Gillian Long, retail operations director at Greggs, said: "Northern Ireland is a key focus in our wider growth strategy, and this latest opening reflects our commitment to expanding our presence in the region. Advertisement Most read in Money "We've seen strong demand from customers, and we're pleased to be able to cater to this by providing greater accessibility and investment. "As we grow, we remain focused on delivering positive impact - creating local employment opportunities, supporting economic development, and contributing to healthier, more connected communities. Greggs will raise prices next week in hikes branded a 'theft tax', as Sun reporters again witnessed brazen thefts across UK "With each new shop opening in the area, we're proud to offer high-quality jobs, career development opportunities, and a workplace culture that values and supports our teams. "We're excited to welcome new colleagues as we continue to build the future of Greggs together." Advertisement 'GREAT ADDITION' Richard Henderson, estate manager at "The new store will be a great addition to Titanic Quarter's growing retail community and the wider, local community. "Greggs will provide residents and visitors with an additional family-friendly food option to choose from throughout the day, building upon Titanic Quarter's attractiveness as a key leisure location in Belfast. "Titanic Quarter's retailers play a huge role in the local community, fostering a lively and welcoming community space. Advertisement "Occupants at ARC Retail have seen continued footfall growth and look forward to this increasing further as our new residential and hotel developments complete. "The decision by Greggs to open a new store at Titanic Quarter is testament to that."
Times
18-05-2025
- Times
A Norfolk coach house with a moat is for sale at £1.7m
Across a moat in the grounds of Old Hunstanton Hall, on the north Norfolk coast, lies a grade II listed Victorian coach house with 2.4 acres of land. Built around an open courtyard, it has five bedrooms, a large kitchen/dining room with an Aga and four reception rooms. A full-height arched mullioned window, designed by Charles Morris, in the drawing room looks out over the moat. A refurbished house on Clabon Mews, two blocks from Harrods in Knightsbridge, has a private top-floor balcony — a rarity for this type of home. Done up in marble and brushed brass, the ground floor has living and dining areas, with a sleek kitchen in the basement. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms are on the two floors above.
