Red carpet welcome for events venue's relaunch

A historic cinema has reopened with a red carpet welcome after being taken back to its art deco roots.

The Royalty, in Bowness-on-Windermere in the Lake District, closed last summer after its then-manager decided against renewing his lease, due to falling customer numbers.

Its closure temporarily brought an end to an association with the town going back to the 1920s.

Now with one screen rather than three, the venue will also stage theatre, comedy and musical events as it widens its offering.

Mark Naunton, who has taken over the running of the Westmorland and Furness Council-owned building with his business partner, Bryn Tyson, said Saturday's relaunch followed "five months of working flat out".

A sold-out audience of 380 people attended the grand reopening night on Saturday.

"We've got a real passion for what we're doing. It's been intense, but we could see the light at the end of the tunnel as things came together."

Mr Naunton said: "Our ethos was to take the building back as close to how it was in the 1920s as we could.

"I think we'll be able to offer something people want to see. Hopefully word will spread.

"We don't have a magic button to push to attract all the holidaymakers who come to Bowness, but we're looking to get onside with the local community."

The opening night saw a Beatles tribute band headline, with a supporting set by Barrow band The Native Cult.

The new leaseholders worked with the council to replace the outdated and inoperable gas heating with a new air source heating and air conditioning system.

The council said it would also install solar panels to further improve the energy efficiency of the building.

The venue was previously managed by Charles Morris, who had held the role since 1992.

He told the BBC last year he had been subsidising the Royalty from the profits of his other cinemas in Yorkshire as customer numbers fell, and revealed he was sad to be bringing his involvement with the venue to a close.

Mr Naunton paid tribute to those efforts, adding: "We wouldn't have had the opportunity without Charles."

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