Help is needed - and soon - to save Tyneside Cinema from what it calls an 'unprecedented threat to its survival'.
The warning comes as Newcastle's much-loved independent cinema faces up to a stark reality that sees it unable to ride out its current financial problems and live in fear that it might end up, like many independent venues around the country, having to close its doors for good.
The 86-year-old cinema has launched an urgent fund-raiser in response to what boss Simon Drysdale says is potentially the worst funding crisis in its history. “Right now, we ask people who want to help us to do two things - donate to our fund-raising appeal and visit us as often as you can," he said.
Read more: Tyneside Cinema hosts red carpet premiere for Ken Loach film
Tyneside Cinema's campaign launches at the same time that another Newcastle institution, Side Gallery, announced that it is to shut this weekend after 45 years on the city cultural scene and set up its own fund-raiser in the hope of saving it from permanent closure. Like the cinema, Side blames the cost-of-living crisis as well as funding cuts.
The Tyneside cites a combination of the crisis; public sector funding cuts; a post-Covid slump in audiences and soaring energy bills as the reason it now risks a "stark future". Ticket sales are down by 40% on pre-pandemic levels and the cost of heating, cooling and lighting the venue has trebled. The fact that it is a listed building also impacts upon what it can do to adapt for modern audiences.
It fears that without additional funds and support from the public, it could face the same fate as other independent cinemas and venues country-wide. The current update on its situation follows the recent announcement of the closure of its historic Tyneside Coffee Rooms due to financial concerns. Now, Simon says: “This is potentially the worst funding crisis Tyneside Cinema has faced in its history.
"Whilst we made it through the pandemic and the enforced closures that brought, audiences have so far failed to return in pre-Covid numbers and, like many cultural venues around the country, we are also facing reductions in funding from public sector organisations who themselves are finding finances tight. There have already been closures of other long-standing cultural venues including leading independent cinema The Filmhouse in Edinburgh, the Oldham Coliseum theatre and, closer to home, The Exchange Theatre in North Shields."
He added: “We are determined to do our utmost to ensure that Tyneside Cinema does not become another addition to that list and to preserve this iconic centre for independent film for current and future generations." Appealing to cinema-goers, he said: “However, in order to do that, we really need your help - and we need it soon.”
The cinema is also in discussion with its landlord about a rent to reflect the building's open market value rather than one linked to the retail price index and it is also working with other UK independents to look to finding new funding and ways of operating. It has also changed its hours and ticket pricing and is now forced to look at some staff redundancies.
The hope, says Simon, is that "by breathing in for a while, we can weather the storm". The new campaign is out to preserve and build upon the Tyneside's unique history, he said: “As well as providing audiences with a genuine alternative to mainstream Hollywood movies, Tyneside Cinema and cinemas like it are a vital part of the UK film industry, championing the work of the new and up-and-coming film makers and supporting local talent.
He added: "We are doing all we can to keep the cinema open and we are determined to save this vital and unique institution that people of Newcastle and the North East are so rightfully proud of.” Simon is to leave his post as interim chief executive officer at the end of June, with his job being advertised earlier this year, having headed up a raft of changes at the venue which followed much-publicised claims of sex abuse and bullying.
A new chairman, board of trustees and senior management team are now in place. He said: “We acknowledge the mistakes identified by the independent investigation three years ago, but this is very much a new era for Tyneside Cinema and it is a time when we need the support of the fantastic North East public more than ever before."
Urging people to show support by donating or visiting, he said: “The more films our audiences come to watch, the more likely it is that we will survive. It’s that simple.” To make a donation to the fund-raising appeal see the cinema's website here; visit the JustGiving Page here or text LOVETYNESIDE to 70085 to donate £5.
Read Next
- Side Gallery announces its closure and vital fund-raising campaign
- Boss of Tyneside Cinema explains decision to close much-loved Coffee Rooms as cost of living crisis bites
- Gosforth theatre to be transformed thanks to £1.5m grant
-
The Exchange Theatre in North Shields has hopes for the future following shock closure news
- What Ken Loach had to say about filming in Newcastle
