Comparison: Cinemas in Harrogate & beyond - our guide

By Graham Chalmers
An example of the sofa seats in an Everyman cinema.An example of the sofa seats in an Everyman cinema.
An example of the sofa seats in an Everyman cinema.

Harrogate is to get its first brand new cinema for the first time in decades next year when Everyman arrives.

Ripon got a new one in the shape of the Curzon only two years ago.

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And Catterick sees the launch of a major new Empire cinema this week.

But how does this affect movie-goers?

Do the different cinemas in our district offer different things?

Here’s our easy ‘cut out and keep’ guide to local cinemas in our area - in no particular order.

1. Odeon, Harrogate

Founded: 1936. Grade-II listed building.

Status: Part of the UK and Europe’s biggest cinema chain.

Size: 5 screens, total seating 1,048.

Film selection: The big films of the day plus live screenings of ballet, opera, theatre and more. 2D and 3D screenings.

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Comfort: Choice of standard seating and deluxe seats in multiplex atmosphere.

Food and drink: Sweets, ices, crisps, nacho dips plus soft drinks, coffee and alcoholic drinks.

Prices: Adult £9.95 (peak), £8.45 (off peak). Child £6.95 standard. Upgrades for Premier seats and 3D films.

2. Everyman, Harrogate

Founded: Opening set for Spring/Summer 2016.

Status: Part of independent chain of 11 cinemas nationwide.

Size: 4 screens. Capacity to be announced.

Film selection: Higher end of mainstream cinema with an emphasis on the best independent films and live screenings.

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Comfort: Intimate and casual with comfy sofa seating and mini-tables for eating.

Food and drink: A full bar. Hot food, including stone-baked pizza and “proper hot dogs.” Retro sweets and snacks. Pizzeria on the premises.

Prices: Prices vary between different venues and times of day. At Leeds, Everyman a standard adult ticket costs £12.80.

3. Curzon, Ripon

Founded: 2013.

Status: Part of independent ‘arthouse’ chain of ten cinemas nationwide.

Size: 2 screens, total seating of 100.

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Film selection: Higher end of mainstream cinema and family films with an emphasis on the best independent films and live screenings.

Comfort: Modern functional seating.

Food and drink: Wine, craft beers, coffee, soft drinks, quality snacks, confectionary. Restaurant on the premises.

Prices: Adult £10.50 (peak) £8.50 (off-peak). Child £7 standard.

4. Ritz, Thirsk

Founded: 1912. One of the oldest cinema in the UK.

Status: Independent, volunteer-run.

Size: 1 screen, total capacity of 204.

Film selection: Recent mainstream movies for all the family, chosen by a selection committee from different age groups who meet monthly.

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Comfort: Original seating was replaced with improved seating after volunteers took over in 1995. With balcony seating.

Food and drink: Sweets and refreshments in the foyer.

Prices: Adult standard £5 with £4 concessions.

5. Wetherby Film Theatre

Founded: Opened in 1915 as a Raby Picture House. Closed as Rodney Cinema in 1964. Reopened as Wetherby Film Theatre in 1994.

Status: Owned independently by Ray and Irene Trewhitt.

Size: 1 screen, total seating of 136.

Film selection: One film a day. Family fayre, the best mainstream movies and occasional live screenings.

Comfort: Seating has been updated and facilities are reguarly improved.

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Food and drink: Licenced bar added in 2012. Competitive confectionary prices.

Prices: Adult standard £8. Book in person or telephone only.

6. Empire, Catterick

Founded: Opens Friday, October 23, 2015.

Status: Part of UK’s largest independently-owned cinema chain with 17 cinemas set up in 2005.

Size: 7 screens, total seating of 848.

Film selection: Bit of everything – plenty of mainstream movies plus classic films, arthouse films and live screenings.

Comfort: Premium seats and normal seats as in multiplexes.

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Food and drink: Standard major cinema confectionary but healthy options also available. Quality coffee but customers are permitted to bring own refreshments in.

Prices: Varies from screens and times. Adult £8 (peak), £7 (off-peak). Children & seniors £6 (peak), £5 (off-peak).

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