The Everyman Cinema opened on Grey Street on 2 May in the building that Legends nightclub used to occupy.
It has been marketed as a boutique cinema, with food and drink served in the screen rooms before the film starts. Soft chair and sofa seating dominates this new venue, which is part of a cinema chain, with 26 others in operation around the UK.
This is the first Everyman in the North East, with plans to open another in Durham as the business continues to expand. This will likely create competition with Tyneside Cinema, an established independent in the city centre, although the two cater to different audiences. Everyman will be showing all of the major releases including Avengers: Endgame whilst Tyneside usually shows more independent films. Everyman is also more expensive than most cinemas in the area, charging £12.50 for a standard adult ticket and it looks like there are no student deals available either.
However, the extra cost may be worth the grander experience, with better seating and food and drink service making this cinema unique. The intention is to make a trip to the cinema into an experience that goes beyond just the film you watch.
The spot opposite Theatre Royal was the perfect place to set up, according to Everyman CEO, Crispin Lilly, who had an eye on Newcastle for a while. Crispin also stated that Everyman will not always be competing with other cinemas in the area but rather will compliment them. It remains to be seen whether cheaper competition from Tyneside and the newly refurbished Cineworld will cost Everyman, or whether the focus on experience will be a redeeming feature that will see customers coming in droves.
To find out more about the new opening and see what films will be shown on their four screens, visit the website: https://www.everymancinema.com/newcastle.
