Norwich Cinema City facts for kids
Cinema City is a special movie theater in Norwich, Norfolk, England. It's in a very old building called Suckling House, which is so important it's a Grade I listed building. This means it's protected because of its history and beauty. The city council owns the building. A charity called Cinema City Ltd manages the place and also runs educational programs about film. The movies, snacks, and restaurant are run by Picturehouse Cinemas, which is part of the larger Cineworld company.
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History of Cinema City
Suckling House: A Historic Home
Cinema City is located in Suckling House. This building was once a merchant's home. It is named after the Suckling family, who owned it in the 1500s. The oldest parts of the building are from the early 1300s. The front of the house, facing St Andrew's Hill, was updated in the 1700s. A brick building called Stuart Hall was added in 1925.
From Home to Public Hall
Suckling House was last used as a family home in 1915. The Norfolk News Company bought it in 1916. They made some repairs. Then, in 1923, two sisters, Ethel Mary and Helen Caroline Colman, bought it. They restored the old house. They also added Stuart Hall. This new hall was built to hold about 450 people. It had a movie projector and a screen. In 1925, the Colman sisters gave Suckling House and Stuart Hall to the City of Norwich. They wanted the buildings to be used for "the advancement of education."
Opening as a Cinema
Cinema City first opened its doors in April 1978. It started as a single movie screen with 230 seats. In 1981, the cinema had some updates. A new projection room was built. New stairs and a box office were also added. The Great Hall became a bar. A nearby old room was turned into a kitchen.
Cinema City Today
Modern Updates and New Screens
In 2004, Cinema City temporarily moved to the Norwich Playhouse. This was so its original building could be rebuilt. The cinema reopened in 2007. It now had three screens instead of one. A large grant from the Arts Council helped pay for these updates.
Screen One is on the first floor. It has almost 200 seats. It can show both digital and 35mm films. Screen Two has nearly 100 seats. Screen Three has just over 60 seats. To make space for the new screens, workers dug down a few meters. The screens now face St Andrews Street.
Dining and Relaxation Areas
There is a new lobby on the ground floor. It is in a room with wood panels from the 1600s. The outdoor courtyard is a nice place to eat and drink. The oldest parts of the building, from the 1300s, are now open to the public. These old vaulted rooms are used as new dining areas.
A Famous Patron
In March 2013, Cinema City celebrated its 35th birthday. At this time, the famous actor John Hurt became a patron of the cinema. A patron is someone who supports an organization.
