Cinema teams up with crafters for unique screenings

A cinema is teaming up with crafters to offer a unique experience - and encourage support for local businesses.

The Abbeygate Cinema in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, has teamed up with Sew Much To Do, a haberdashery shop opposite it on Hatter Street, to offer customers Craft Club Screenings.

During special screenings with the lights turned slightly up, guests will be able to bring along their crafting projects while enjoying a new film.

General manager of the cinema, Gareth Boggis, and owner of Sew Much To Do, Lesley Partridge, said each had a great reaction to the idea.

Mrs Partridge wanted to work closer with the businesses on her street and she was knew a small group of her customers already met at the cinema weekly.

While it was not something she had organised before, she saw an opportunity for a partnership - with Abbeygate Cinema eager to get involved.

Both businesses are hopeful the first Craft Club showing of Four Letters of Love - with Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter - on 21 July would be a success.

Customers will be able to enjoy new films every four to six weeks.

Abbeygate Cinema also offers parent and baby screenings, dog-friendly showings and accessible screenings, which Mr Boggis said he was "really proud" of.

"We think that we offer something really special but we really want to make it as accessible as it can be for everybody," he explained.

"Sometimes it's adding extra value to that ticket, so the ticket might still be the same price, but we're offering an accessible screening or a craft club or something else that just means you're getting that little bit extra for your money and I think that is what people are looking for."

Mrs Lesley echoed that it was important to support local businesses more than ever.

"We recognise times are tough out there, it's tough for small businesses too," she said.

"Hopefully by working together, like ourselves with Abbeygate cinema - and hopefully we're looking to do similar projects with other businesses - that will encourage people to come into the town centre and support local, rather than going online as the alternative."

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