This is everything you need to know about Grantham Savoy cinema
When will it open, what are the seats going to be like, will there be special screenings – these are questions we all have about Grantham’s new cinema.
And now we have the answers.
The Journal went behind the fencing to put questions to James Collington, the managing director of cinema operator Savoy Cinemas.
Contractors were busy fitting out the five-screen cinema, having taken the keys in March from South Kesteven District Council once the building of the shell was complete.
The multiplex has been several years in the making, with its opening date pushed back a number of times.
Now, as the build nears completion, Mr Collington said he is confident it will be a summer opening for the Savoy – although he would not reveal the opening date just yet.
Mr Collington told the Journal: “Everything is on time, on budget. We’re on the home straight.”
Here’s the low-down on what you can expect from Grantham’s new multiplex cinema when its doors open:
* What is the layout of the cinema like inside?
Customers will enter the Savoy in the corner where a pedestrian gateway will connect with St Peter’s Hill, rather than on the corner directly off St Catherine’s Road. Inside the entrance foyer will be a 12-metre-long counter from which tickets and refreshments will be served. At the far end is the opening which leads to a long corridor, off which each screen branches. In the spaces beneath the auditorium seats are toilet facilities, a staff room, office and function room.
* How many seats are there?
A total of 701 seats will be made up of 184 in screen one, 167 in screen two, 118 in screen three, 141 in screen four and 91 in screen five.
* How big are the screens?
All screens will be wall to wall, floor to ceiling. The screen size will reduce as the size of the auditorium lessens.
* Are the projectors and sound good quality?
Screen one will feature a state-of-the-art 4k laser digital projector – the first installed in the UK – and Dolby Atmos sound.
* What snacks will be available?
Tango Ice Blast drinks will be sold alongside hot, cold and alcoholic drinks, popcorn, chocolate – all the usual snacks cinema-goers expect to find.
* Will the cinema have a built-in Costa?
There will be no Costa bar or similar within the cinema because of its size.
* What are the admission prices?
These have not yet been decided upon by Savoy.
* Does Savoy offer loyalty or annual membership cards?
Annual membership cards are not yet on offer but Savoy may run a loyalty card at Savoy Grantham.
* Will any arthouse or foreign films be shown, and live performances?
A Savoy spokesman said: “We will be screening a comprehensive selection of films comprising Hollywood mainstream, supplemented by awards season films.
“Live streaming from National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House and Bolshoi Ballet will also be a regular feature throughout the year.”
* Will 3D films be shown?
Yes.
* Will there be Saturday clubs, family screenings and parent and baby screenings?
Savoy will run Kids’ Clubs on Saturday and Sunday and every morning during school holidays at 10.15am at a reduced price of £2 per ticket. Savoy will show kids’ films a few weeks after their release date at these times.
Weekly Silver Screen showings (for over-50s) and parent and baby showings (for babies under 12 months) will also be held.
* How about special screenings for children with autism, for example?
Supportive screenings where the lights will be slightly raised and the noise lowered for children will be organised.
* What will the seats be like?
Seating will be high quality, complete with cup holders and foot rests – no recliners though. Mr Collington explained: “We’ve just installed reclining seats [at the Savoy] in Boston. It’s a much bigger site than Grantham – this is 13,500 sq ft while Boston is 22-23,000. An auditorium in Boston that had 340 normal seats now has just 150 reclining seats in that space. Grantham [cinema] is too small – the 184 seats in screen one would be around 70 recliners.”
* What will the first film screened be?
This will not be revealed until the cinema opening date is announced. But Mr Collington promises it will be a worth film. “There’s a lot of good stuff coming up,” he
said.
