Latest news with #MerlinCinemas
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Merlin Cinemas Confirmed as New Operator for Rhyl Cinema
Independent national cinema operator Merlin Cinemas is set to take over the five-screen cinema in Rhyl town centre. The Cornwall-based independent operator has 21 other cinemas across the UK, including the Scala at Prestatyn. Denbighshire County Council said the company had a reputation for operating historic cinemas, as well as repurposed and modern buildings as cinemas, in communities often overlooked or underserved by larger cinema companies. Earlier this year, Merlin's founder and managing director, Geoff Greaves, was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to the cinema industry – recognition of his 35 years spent championing the big screen in small towns. Following the closure of the cinema at the end of January, Denbighshire County Council has been working to attract an operator to the popular amenity on Rhyl's promenade. The announcement is subject to Merlin completing lease arrangements with Denbighshire County Council. Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council and Lead Member for Economic Growth & Tackling Deprivation, said: 'We're delighted to have Merlin on board to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy a great day out in Rhyl. Once the lease is signed and Merlin have taken over, the cinema will play a pivotal role in the broader regeneration efforts in Rhyl town centre.' The council added that Merlin is working closely with the council to complete and sign the lease and with suppliers to assess the work needed behind the scenes before it can reopen. The firm is committed to improving the cinema, the council said, and enhancing the cinema experience for the local community. This may mean that the cinema reopens in phases. There will also be a new name, still to be announced. Geoff Greaves said: 'We're delighted to have been successful in our bid to operate this cinema. We're already familiar with the location because of our cinema four miles along the coast in Prestatyn, but when the opportunity came along, we jumped at the chance. We are doing everything we can to get the doors open so that the town has a cinema again. We really believe that seeing a film at the cinema on the big screen with family or friends is a very different experience to watching it at home; it is more memorable, more sociable and offers a sense of occasion.' Councillor McLellan said: 'The cinema itself is in a great location opposite Queen's Market Food Hall and event space, which will open on July 10, therefore this is a great opportunity to be part of an exciting time for Rhyl. As a council we're delighted to have found an operator to take over the site so quickly and we're looking forward to working with Merlin to secure the success of the facility. 'When it opens, I urge residents to support the cinema as well as other leisure facilities in the town – we need everyone to be backing our businesses to ensure their continued success.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Family sells historic cinema after more than 30 years
A historic cinema in the Borders has been sold after being run by the same family for more than 30 years. The Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels first opened its doors in 1920 and has been operated by the Poole family since 1993. Manager Andrew Poole confirmed the business had been sold to leading independent national operator Merlin Cinemas. He said that after more than three decades in charge his family felt the time was right to "pass the baton on". "During our tenure at the Pavilion, my family and I have enjoyed tremendous support from over three million amazingly loyal customers and we can't thank them enough for their custom, through the good times and the bad times," he said. "But we leave the Pavilion cinema in very safe hands. "Merlin has 19 other cinemas across the UK - including two other Scottish sites in Ayr and Thurso." He said that they had invested significantly in the cinema over their time in charge and the deal would ensure it continued to operate for some time to come. "We've survived the Covid crisis, the cost of living crisis, a couple of writers' strikes and the recent actors' strike," he said. "And the cinema is still here. This deal ensures the cinema's future for many years to come." He added that the "greatest asset" was the site's staff. "Without their unwavering support, hard work and dedication we wouldn't have a business to hand over to Merlin," he said. "So, I would like to thank all of them, past and present, for their time over the past 31 years. "I'm delighted to say that all our employees will be transferred to Merlin with their employment continuing with them when the handover completes in mid-June." More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds Geoff Greaves, managing director of Merlin Cinemas, said it looked forward to continuing the Poole family's "fantastic work". "This much-loved venue has a rich history and a loyal audience, and we are excited to build on that legacy," he said. "The cinema will remain open during the period of Merlin taking over and we look forward to a smooth transition." The site on the town's Market Street opened in 1920 as a dance hall, theatre and cinema. The Poole family took over in 1993, converted it to four screens in 1995 and became fully digital in 2010. Merlin Cinemas started 35 years ago with a single-screen site in Penzance but has since expanded to operate 19 sites across the UK. Relief as Borders cinema celebrates its centenary 'The magic of the movies should be back'
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Family sells Galashiels Pavilion cinema after more than 30 years
A historic cinema in the Borders has been sold after being run by the same family for more than 30 Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels first opened its doors in 1920 and has been operated by the Poole family since Andrew Poole confirmed the business had been sold to leading independent national operator Merlin said that after more than three decades in charge his family felt the time was right to "pass the baton on". "During our tenure at the Pavilion, my family and I have enjoyed tremendous support from over three million amazingly loyal customers and we can't thank them enough for their custom, through the good times and the bad times," he said."But we leave the Pavilion cinema in very safe hands. "Merlin has 19 other cinemas across the UK - including two other Scottish sites in Ayr and Thurso."He said that they had invested significantly in the cinema over their time in charge and the deal would ensure it continued to operate for some time to come. "We've survived the Covid crisis, the cost of living crisis, a couple of writers' strikes and the recent actors' strike," he said."And the cinema is still here. This deal ensures the cinema's future for many years to come."He added that the "greatest asset" was the site's staff."Without their unwavering support, hard work and dedication we wouldn't have a business to hand over to Merlin," he said."So, I would like to thank all of them, past and present, for their time over the past 31 years."I'm delighted to say that all our employees will be transferred to Merlin with their employment continuing with them when the handover completes in mid-June." Geoff Greaves, managing director of Merlin Cinemas, said it looked forward to continuing the Poole family's "fantastic work"."This much-loved venue has a rich history and a loyal audience, and we are excited to build on that legacy," he said."The cinema will remain open during the period of Merlin taking over and we look forward to a smooth transition."The site on the town's Market Street opened in 1920 as a dance hall, theatre and Poole family took over in 1993, converted it to four screens in 1995 and became fully digital in Cinemas started 35 years ago with a single-screen site in Penzance but has since expanded to operate 19 sites across the UK.
The National
12-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Family-run Scottish cinema bought by UK chain after three decades
The Pavilion Cinema has been sold to UK-wide chain Merlin Cinemas. The move concludes 31 years of management by the Poole family, who decided that the time was right to "pass the baton on". Andrew Poole, the cinema manager, said: "After 31 years of running the Pavilion Cinema, we now feel the time is right to pass the baton on. "During our tenure at the Pavilion, my family and I have enjoyed tremendous support from over three million amazingly loyal customers and we can't thank them enough for their custom, through the good times and the bad times." He added that the cinema was being left "in very safe hands", joining Merlin's portfolio which includes two other Scottish sites in Ayr and Thurso. Poole highlighted the family's investment of more than £750,000 over the past 30 years. This includes converting to digital cinema in 2011, replacing all seats in 2016, and upgrading the sound system in 2020. Poole said: "We've survived the Covid crisis, the cost-of-living crisis, a couple of writers' strikes and the recent actors' strike. "And the cinema is still here." The sale ensures the Pavilion's future for many years to come, with all employees set to continue their roles under the new ownership. Poole said: "The greatest asset this business has is its staff. "I'm delighted to say that all our employees will be transferred to Merlin with their employment continuing with them when the handover completes in mid-June." Geoff Greaves, managing director at Merlin Cinemas, said: "We look forward to continuing the fantastic work done by the Poole family in offering a wide selection of current films and providing a warm welcome to all the cinema's customers. "The cinema will remain open during the period of Merlin taking over and we look forward to a smooth transition."
