Studio cinema to return to Leamington’s Spa Centre

The Spa Centre’s studio cinema closed temporarily in March while Warwick District Council, which runs the centre, re-examined the business case for the venture, which has been running at a loss of £8,000 a year for several years running.

But now councillors on the council’s executive committee have approved a proposal to spent £37,000 of taxpayers’ money on buying digital screening equipment to replace the old 35mm reel equipment at the cinema - a move officials say will save money in the long term and increase audience numbers and income.

In a report to executive committee members, officer David Guilding said: “Digital cinema is gradually replacing 35mm film projection. It is already challenging to find 35mmm copies of some films as the number of UK releases in that format continues to shrink, making options limited for the Spa Centre.”

Earlier this year, the cinema’s supervisor was made redundant, but buying digital equipment will mean that the post will no longer be required as much of the operational work can be automated.

Mr Guilding pointed out that while the Spa Centre’s cinema holds 188 people, the only other cinema in Leamington, the Vue cinema, has six screens, each with 160 seats and four of which can screen 3D films - meaning without digital technology, the Spa Centre will lose customers. He also mentioned the work the venue does with the Roots to Shoots amateur film club.