Cinema just the ticket as attendance figure hits 600
BRISK ticket sales at Hawick's new cinema are proving that it has made a welcome return to the town after 23 years, but its success will only continue with crucial feedback and support from townsfolk.
That was the message from business manager Lindsay Wood this week, who says staff at the new Tower Mill complex are delighted with the 111-seat cinema's launch – which has attracted around 600 customers in only two weeks of screenings – and that they are dedicated to getting it right.
He told the Hawick News: "From early feedback we expect the cinema to work. Our hope was to sell a lot of tickets, and we did.
"We already know that the timings and choice of film are crucial, and the best way to answer this is to ask the audience, which we do regularly, and adapt and fine tune services where we can."
Last Thursday the cinema launched its six screenings a week in association with the Edinburgh Filmhouse, which comprises of showings at 11am on Thursday and Saturday mornings, 3pm on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, and 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
And alluding to the vital importance of striking a balance with a programme to suit varied tastes, Mr Wood stated: "The feedback from "La Vie en Rose" was wonderful, but in terms of volume we had more from "The Bourne Ultimatum".
He went on: "Choice and variation mean we'll continue to attract different audiences, which is what we want. Choosing the films for the preview week in October was based more on young people. This week we're showing adult orientated films, so it'll be another learning process and chance to build a film audience."
Staff at the fledgling complex are currently assessing choice of films, film timings, box office services, on-line sales and advertising distribution. Whilst the programme for December and early January is currently being discussed with Edinburgh Filmhouse.
Mr Wood added: "We've had some really good comments about the intimacy, comfort and lighting and some people asking for improvements, but all comments are valid. What people like is the localness and have often said they want to come back regularly, and advised us to get good films."
Heart of Hawick staff are happy to hear from members of the public who would like to see a specific film, with the best way of doing so by email to heartofhawick@scotborders.gov.uk, or filling in the comments card available in the Beanscene area.
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Weather for Hawick
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
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