Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, UK
info@capitalofthefens.org.uk

Luxe Cinema

Luxe Cinema

It’s been a while since I featured businesses here, so I thought I’d go see this happy crew – we had a sensible photo… but then this happened! I think it shows the camaraderie of the team that’s been created at the Luxe Cinema (Alexandra Road, PE13 1HQ).

It’s been 10 years since Wisbech got this quirky independent cinema, which is now owned by a family-run group of independent cinemas. Picturedrome are particularly keen to treat their employees as a family – all with different personalities, but all looking out for and supporting each other. Working together they’ve created great relationships that reflect onto us, the customers. Chatting with Nathan, the General Manager, I saw this in action with banter between the employees and with regular customers and visitors.

Interestingly, I found out that Nathan’s grandmother, Granny Ba, was an usherette in her younger days. He remembers a number of stories she told him about working in the industry, and her advice: “look after your staff as family”. He’s taken that to heart, and the staff treat him like (in his words!) an old uncle! Happy 90th birthday to Granny Ba, by the way.

 

The next 10 years are looking good for the Luxe – renovation works are well under way – new seats, screen and projector already; with the bar area and facilities now getting a makeover. Also, they’re going to be extending outwards – so there will be a bigger space for drinks before the film, or indeed any time as it’s a nice place for a coffee and meetings, too: a games club meet there, and other groups are welcomed.

 

I also spoke to one of the supervisors, Annie Larkin, who said that she was attracted to the Luxe as a place to go before she started working there., saying that “I could see it was a place I’d be comfortable seeing a film on my own – I liked that the staff were there for a chat about the film afterwards”. Annie also said that it being central and independent meant she felt she was supporting the local community. I agree, and think that a vibrant town centre has many elements – entertainment and places to meet and gather is certainly part of that.
We all agreed that a trip to the cinema is a treat, but at the Luxe it’s a more affordable one, and they make sure the experience is an excellent one, too, from start to finish.

 

 

Photo: L to R: Daniel, Emily, Annie and Nathan.