Background
Curzon Cinema and Arts, a community cinema and multi-disciplinary arts centre, has been a cultural hub in Clevedon since 1996. The community’s love for their cinema led to its purchase, transforming it into a registered charity dedicated to providing life-shaping cultural experiences accessible to all.
The centre offers a year-round programme of films and live events, aiming to cultivate an inclusive space that fosters participation in the arts. As the team at Curzon Cinema and Arts puts it, their mission is to “grow participation in the arts for all” through transformative, shared experiences.
Support
Curzon Cinema and Arts received support from the hive in developing business plans and applying for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Town Occupancy Grant in early 2024. This grant programme, delivered by North Somerset Council, Business West, and the hive, aimed to help small businesses and social enterprises increase their viability in town centre units.
The support provided included sales promotion, brand management, digital transformation, and identifying grant funding opportunities.
Andrew Caddy (CEO) said, “the hive were very helpful in developing our business plans to help us navigate our future“.
The experience
Curzon Cinema and Arts embarked on the UKSPF funded project to upgrade their catering facilities, including installing a new fast, high-quality coffee machine and a heritage 35mm film projector. This projector, built using heritage parts, is a significant addition as it allows the screening of films in the classic 35mm format, which is no longer commercially available.
The team emphasized the cultural value of the projector, noting, “This new machine, built by an expert projection engineer, will enable us to screen films in a format that holds historical significance and offers a unique viewing experience.”
This initiative reflects their commitment to enhancing the community’s cultural experience while ensuring the sustainability of their operations.
