Last month we learned that Cineworld cinema in the Cornerhouse will be closing, to be replaced by Vue cinema later in the year. The last few years have seen plenty of change for the cinema industry, so we put some questions to the figureheads at our three other local picture houses; Mark Gallagher at The Arc Cinema, Lucy Askew at Broadway Cinema and Paul Scotton at Savoy Cinema…
Tell us a little bit about the history of your cinema…
Mark: The Arc Cinema is an independent cinema chain which first opened in the UK in 2019. In Nottingham we have sites in Beeston and Hucknall. Our focus is on offering state-of-the-art facilities, excellent customer service and films to cater to all tastes. We also pride ourselves on our immersive fan events, which have featured the Batmobile, Ecto-1, DeLorean, Jurassic Park animatronic dinosaurs and even a real jet fighter cockpit.
Lucy: Broadway turns 35 this year. Behind our glossy glass front, we are housed within a Wesleyan Chapel built in 1839. We showcase diverse cinema, including independent, foreign language, and art-house selections. Beyond screenings, we run Film Hub Midlands, supporting film production and exhibition across the region. We also host community events like Pride and Hockley Hustle and run Near Now, an arts and tech program and serve as a vital community hub.
Paul: The Savoy Cinema in Nottingham opened in 1935. The current owner took it over in 1994 and has since then made many improvements that have kept it as a place cinema goers love to visit. Most areas of the cinema have been refurbished, but it’s been done sympathetically to make sure the building keeps its original aesthetic, while also having all the modern amenities like laser projection and comfortable seating.
What is it that you, as a human being, love about cinema?
Paul: As a massive movie fan I love seeing films at the cinema. No matter how big your TV is at home it never compares to seeing it on a cinema screen. I also love that communal feeling of the cinema, seeing a comedy with hundreds of other people laughing with you, or a horror with everyone in suspense, you can feel it as a collective and it makes the experience so immersive.
Lucy: There’s a quality of escape and immersion you can achieve watching a film at the cinema you just can’t get anywhere close to at home. I’m also a huge advocate of the value of collective experiences. Many films are entirely different when you watch them in a crowd and laugh, gasp and cry together.
Mark: Some of my fondest memories are of going to the cinema with my dad as a young boy, and now I get to experience that same joy with my own son. Whether it's a family outing or a night out with friends, I remember every detail. It’s not just the film, but where we grabbed food before and where we went for a drink after. People can talk up their living room TV and soundbar all they like, but in our Hypersense screens at Beeston, we have over 45 Dolby Atmos® speakers, each delivering a unique audio feed. Good luck trying to match that in your bedroom!
Did the news that Cineworld was closing surprise you? Will that and Vue re-opening on the site have any noticeable effect on your own business?
Mark: I’ve been following Cineworld’s financial struggles since COVID and was aware of their challenges. Big companies like that carry a huge amount of debt, which can be difficult to sustain in an evolving industry. Cineworld’s Unlimited offer has been a strong draw, and I know there are hundreds of loyal cinemagoers who have stuck with them. I see this as a great opportunity to welcome those customers, show them the quality experience available on their doorstep, and hopefully build a habit of visiting us before Vue reopens the site.
Lucy: Sadly, it's not really a surprise as so many cinemas have closed their doors over the past two years. In the long term, with Vue taking over the space, we don't see it making any difference to our business. As much as we can, we're working on adjusting our program over the next few months to ensure Nottingham audiences don't go without the films they want to see.
Paul: I’ve been aware that they’ve been close to closing for a while now so no, but I do think it’s sad and I’m happy to hear Vue are going to be going in there as it would be strange having that massive building so empty. I’m sure it will make all the other cinemas in Nottingham busier in the short-term once it closes.
Anyone who has visited Savoy knows how unique it is. It’s Nottingham’s oldest cinema and the style and look of the cinema has kept that traditional cinema feel while also having all the modern luxuries cinema goers look for.
- Paul Scotton, Savoy Cinema
How is business for you at the moment? According to some sources cinema audiences have never recovered since the pandemic. Is that reflected by your own experiences?
Paul: I think the cinema landscape has changed but I don’t agree it hasn’t recovered, last year continued to prove that when films like Inside Out 2 and Wicked are released that people still love coming to the cinema. There were so many films this Christmas that families kept coming to see, and we’ve been really busy this last month with our student and adult audiences loving We Live In Time and Nosferatu.
Mark: Like many in the industry, we faced challenges post-pandemic, but we’re seeing strong signs of recovery. Audiences are returning for blockbuster releases and independent gems alike. Our focus on local engagement and offering a welcoming, modern cinema experience has helped us buck the trend and grow steadily.
Lucy: It’s a mixed picture. We're pleased with audience numbers, the recent film slate has been strong and 2025 is off to a great start. Our financial future remains challenging due to rising costs over the past five years. We're diversifying with more film courses, venue hire, immersive events and comedy nights to offset that. We’re working a lot harder for a lot less, the ship is a long way from sinking but it is taking on water.
What were your biggest grossing films over the last year and why do you think they were popular?
Lucy: Obviously, we did well with Wicked as I imagine all cinemas did. It didn't hit Barbie heights, but it's the closest we've had in the last year to creating a cultural moment that's hard to escape. Conclave did really well for us; it definitely appeals to a classic Broadway audience; thought-provoking with a stellar cast. Early in the year Wicked Little Letters drew good numbers, which I like to think is a reflection of the fact that our audiences love some good sweary content. National Theatre Live screenings have also done really good business. Broadway members couldn't get enough of Prima Facie.
Paul: Inside Out 2 and Wicked were our biggest films last year. Both of them connected strongly with families but they also both connected with adults as well. I think when a film taps into a large audience age range like that they do incredibly well, and both were also very well received by customers so good word of mouth also helps.
Mark: Business has been strong for us, particularly with families in our communities, which has always been a key focus. It’s no surprise that our highest-grossing films of 2024 were Inside Out 2 and Despicable Me 4, with Moana 2 and Paddington in Peru also ranking in our Top 10. These films continue to bring families through our doors, reinforcing the importance of offering a welcoming, value-driven experience. For grown-ups, Deadpool & Wolverine and Wicked have been the standout box office draws, showing that there’s still strong demand for big event movies. While the industry as a whole may still be recovering, we’re seeing a steady return of audiences who appreciate the premium experience.
What films do you think will be your biggest successes this year and why?
Lucy: It’s always a difficult one to predict – especially when it can be hard to pin down when new films are going to be released. We think the new Bridget Jones will do well, as will 28 Years Later. We’re seeing a buzz from our audience for the new Walter Sallas film I’m Still Here and The Seed of the Sacred Fig comes highly recommended. We’re also excited to share BAFTA nominated Sister Midnight, which is produced by Broadway residents Wellington Films.
Mark: We’re expecting some major hits this year, and I think Superman will be a surprise success, bringing fresh energy to an iconic character and drawing in both new and long time fans. Another film that could exceed expectations is Mickey 17, Bong Joon-ho’s much awaited follow-up to 2019’s Parasite. While I don’t have much hope for Captain America: Brave New World or Thunderbolts, I truly believe Fantastic Four: First Steps will kick off a renaissance period for Marvel Studios. And as for the Naked Gun reboot with Liam Neeson - I’m more optimistic than most. Surely it can’t be that bad... and don’t call me Shirley!
Paul: I’m sure Wicked 2 will do just as good as the first part and there are some great family films like A Minecraft Movie and the new live action versions of Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon. All of those should have both a strong family and adult audiences as well.
Many claim that "cinema is dead" and prefer the convenience of streaming at home. However, recent industry trends suggest otherwise. We believe that the communal experience of watching a film in a cinema cannot be replicated at home.
- Mark Gallagher, Arc Cinema
What is it that you feel makes your own cinema’s offering unique?
Paul: Anyone who has visited Savoy knows how unique it is. It’s Nottingham’s oldest cinema and the style and look of the cinema has kept that traditional cinema feel while also having all the modern luxuries cinema goers look for. It’s important to us that our customers have a great experience and we’re constantly investing money into the cinema to do that.
Mark: At The Arc Cinema, we pride ourselves on providing a premium experience at affordable prices. Our auditoriums feature luxury recliner seating throughout as standard, crystal-clear 4k laser projection, and immersive Dolby surround sound. We also focus on local engagement, from special screenings to supporting community events, making us a cinema that truly feels like part of the neighbourhood.
Lucy: Broadway Cinema is more than just a great place to watch films. It serves as a community hub where individuals can connect with like-minded people, attend film-related courses, and engage with a diverse range of cultural experiences. We have a welcoming Café Bar where you can meet with friends and get great food even if you’re not seeing a film. Supporting Broadway extends beyond individual film screenings; it contributes to the broader film ecology throughout the Midlands.
I think the need for community-focused spaces for people to come together and absorb culture collectively will be greater than ever. I see Broadway's future lies in being a centre for innovation, community and creativity, spanning a wide-ranging and evolving scope of media and storytelling.
- Lucy Askew, Broadway
How do you see the future of cinema over the next few decades - both nationally and for your own venue?
Lucy: Looking decades ahead, we have to be alive to the fact that AI and other technological innovations we can't even imagine yet are going to change film production and how we consume stories beyond all recognition. Alongside that, though, I think the need for community-focused spaces for people to come together and absorb culture collectively will be greater than ever. I see Broadway's future lies in being a centre for innovation, community and creativity, spanning a wide-ranging and evolving scope of media and storytelling.
Mark: The future of cinema is a topic that often sparks debate, especially with the rise of streaming services. Many claim that "cinema is dead" and prefer the convenience of streaming at home. However, recent industry trends suggest otherwise. We believe that the communal experience of watching a film in a cinema cannot be replicated at home. As the industry evolves, we see a future where cinemas continue to thrive by offering unique, high-quality experiences that complement the convenience of streaming services at home.
Paul: We’re personally looking forward to celebrating our 90th Birthday this year and in a decade it’ll be our 100th which is amazing. I can’t see Savoy ever disappearing, we’ve got such great and passionate customers. I think cinema in general will continue to grow again and we’ll keep getting some fantastic films that have to be seen on the cinema screen.
Aside from watching films at your place, what other ways can people support you financially?
Lucy: Come and have a coffee or some lunch in the Café Bar and book our newly refurbed private screening room for a party or gathering with friends. Consider hiring a meeting room for business meetings, attend one of our film courses. Become a Broadway member of and get discounts off tickets, pop in and buy a Broadway branded beanie hat or make a donation. We are a registered charity.
Mark: People can support us by purchasing gift cards, which make a perfect present for film lovers and can be used for tickets, snacks, and drinks. We also host a range of special live broadcasts, from West End theatre productions to concerts and sporting events, offering unique experiences beyond traditional movies.
Paul: Treat yourself to a popcorn and drink from Savoy when you come to watch a film. Our customers love our popcorn and Ice Blast combo!
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