Imminent closure of The Picture House

[bubbly jock]

Part of the pleasure in a visit to the pictures is a wide variety of sweets crisps and chilled coke. None of which are available at the wee picture house When I go I bring my own there is nothing worse that warm coke.

And if you solve that maybe you could get usherettes that smile. I usually wonder if I have forgotton to wipe my beak when I go in. they're all there staring at ye with glum faces.

No matter what you are selling these days "folks"it's all in the presentation and the price

bubbly

[Jonathan]

Did you get chucked out of an X when you were 17 or something?

Ummm..... don't think that that type of film was ever shown in the cinema when I was there....... but..... maybe it's an idea - bit of late night diversification

[John S]

Malky said

Such as John

That’s not for me, but for the directors of the cinema to consider. They have to be comfortable that diversification is right for them, and to be comfortable with the nature of the development.


[/quote]

[Malky]

C'mon John, you've never been backward at coming forward Throw in a few ideas here. I'm sure you've got some good ideas in mind and I for one would like to get your input

Also, I'm not sure who are the current directors of the Community Business, but new blood and new ideas will I'm sure, always be welcome.

Malky

[bubbly jock]

Malky

You know what John is like. To give you an example,

Three folk who couldn't swim fell ower the peir and one of them was John, you would hear him say "excuse me I can't swim and I feel as though I am taking in water and sinking could someone help me" The other two would just scream HELP. Why use one word when 21 will do?

He'll get there in the end Malky just have patience

bubbly

[John S]

The trouble with a lot of the issues discussed in this forum and in the wider Kintyre community is that too many people, as you have just demonstrated bubbly, would like things simple black & white. That way they can make their minds up and move on to the next thing without having to question their own judgement or consider different perspectives or feelings. Unfortunately unless you live in a sitcom or soap opera, real life’s not like that, perhaps you'd feel more at home in the Carradale thread.

Oh by the way, I can swim.

[John S]

Malky, They can't be my ideas - The directors of the picture house are the only people that can change the course of the business. And while we all feel we have a stake in the wee pictures, only the board know the strengths and weaknesses of the company, which determine its ability to adapt to change.

[bubbly jock]

Och John, sitting on the fence is not my way but I can always see the middle road. Very rarely take it mind you, sitting on the fence only gives you sore whatsits. Not that I'm saying that applies to you. You can follow me I'm right behind you in your efforts for the town.

I think you're a wee bit harsh to suggest that I would be more at home on the Carradle thread. Are you saying they're not in touch with reality?

I don't live in a sitcom or a soap opera and after reading the Carradale thread I realised what a great effect surrealism had on me I realised I wasn't insane because to me surrealism is reality.

Too many people see things in black and white I suppose some folk are like that. You go to a football match and they're all shouting from the sidelines "Come on big man" or "Come on wee man" Nae middle sized men. Big or wee black or white, I know you can swim

bubbly

[4th gen Suthen']

Plenty suggestions from this board for the Picture House people to take on board...some of them pretty good..........BUT

The PH people are not stupid. Many of the ideas put forward here will have been thought up already. There must be reasons why they have not been implemented already.

I am sure this debate has been a positive thing though.

that is the kind of usherettes we need right enough!

[tigerlily]

I have been following this thread since it first appeared on the site, and feel I must put in my wee bit. A lot has been said about what the Cinema needs to do , there have been a lot of good idea's, Like using the Cinema on a Friday night for a special preformance of music or such like, (this would take away the extra night everyone is wanting for the film to be shown) or having matinees on a Saturday, or having extra film shows during the day during the week etc (this would cost more money to bring in extra films and more staff) I could go on and on, but I wont, these are all very good ideas and yes i suppose they would work FOR A WHILE. but what happens when the novelty wears off?? Just the same as what has happend now, There is no point in blaming the people who are trying to keep the Cinema open, by saying the films dont come quick enough, there is a good reason for this. which has already been explained on this thread, Why say that you need cheerier ushurettes, how many shops do you go into where all the shop assistants are laughting and smiling, (there are'nt very many in my experience) as for the sweets and coke etc, I know there is a large stock of sweets and coke, yes the cans and bottles could be in a fridge but I have been told that it is because of lack of space that there is not any room for a fridge behind the counter and if they were to put one in it would take away from the choice that you would have of the drinks. I think that the only way that you are going to save your Cinema is by going to it. If the Cinema closes the only people to blame for this is the PEOPLE OF CAMPBELTOWN for not supporting the Cinema, as one of the other members has already said do you really want another empty building (historic) in Campbeltown

sorry for going on but this is my own opinion and feel it needed to be said

[elainemck]

Hmmm is the Picture House always going to face the threat of closing?? It would be such a shame if the town lost it!!!

I don't live in the town anymore but visit regularly and I know this point has been said many many times but what is wrong with a Friday night film night??? I know years ago was because bingo was on and I remember when I was younger being really annoyed as it was a perfect night for the cinema. In fact, it still is. When we go to the cinema in Glasgow, it's usually a Friday. Friday night is cinema night!!

What about introducing bingo or other activities other nights?? Or trying to attract other events such as concerts/musicals/shows/talks etc throughout the year?

Although I agree that piracy does affect cinema attendances, part of the joy of the cinema is the EXPERIENCE! You want to sit in the cinema with popcorn and chilled juice and watch the large screen and hear the surround sound!!! Especially big films such as Star Wars etc are great films but you want to see them in the cinema first!!

End of.

[petewick]

The reality is that people are more mobile these days, car ownership in the last 30 years must have risen astranomically.
If Jo publicn has a car, does'nt want to wait 6 weeks to see a movie, then Joe will shoot the craw' ae the city. Not jus making a night of it but an entire weekend by staying over and following other pursuits whilst there as people have more money now than ever they did.
The Friday night bus to Glasgow is full of younger people heading off to the city, not just from Campbeltown, but Mid Argyll also.
Petewick

[John S]

I sympathise with your view Tigerlily, but as I said to BJ earlier saving the cinema is not as simple as this.

If the Cinema closes the only people to blame for this is the PEOPLE OF CAMPBELTOWN for not supporting the Cinema

We all have many demands competing for our time, typing this just now being one, if going to the cinema has not been a high enough priority for many locals over the last year, why should the threat of it closing in the near future change anything for them. - This is looking at the problem upside down. Sure, everyone will be prostrate with anguish if it closes, and sure they might feel they are to blame, but then what? They carry on with their lives - one less competing priority and a new DVD player. The threat of closure may increase audiences in the short term, but the reasons why cinema slipped down our lifestyle priorities will still be there.

The question perhaps should be - what would make you go to the cinema more often? Yes, I know people have tried to ask this question already, but it’s the extent to which you are prepared to look for all the answers that may bare fruit.

[Kintyre Lad]

... Like using the Cinema on a Friday night for a special preformance of music or such like, (this would take away the extra night everyone is wanting for the film to be shown) or having matinees on a Saturday, or having extra film shows during the day during the week etc (this would cost more money to bring in extra films and more staff) I could go on and on.....

If you re-read the posts Tigerlily you will see that people are asking for Friday night openings AND things like concerts - not necessarily on the same evening! Still no explanation why it doesn't open on a Friday night?

Why say that you need cheerier ushurettes, how many shops do you go into where all the shop assistants are laughting and smiling, (there are'nt very many in my experience)

- Think you must work there! It is all in the sale. Yes I would agree there are some rather dour shop keepers in the town but that doesn't mean it is okay! One of the main factors you will return to say a pub, a restaurant or a cafe (on top of good beer and food!) is good cheery staff! No doubt it is well proven! But don't take it personally now BJ is a dour auld git himself!

I think that the only way that you are going to save your Cinema is by going to it. If the Cinema closes the only people to blame for this is the PEOPLE OF CAMPBELTOWN for not supporting the Cinema

Lets not be complacent here - as others have said lets look for answers. Times have changed and people have changed.

[Jonathan]

I think that the only way that you are going to save your Cinema is by going to it. If the Cinema closes the only people to blame for this is the PEOPLE OF CAMPBELTOWN for not supporting the Cinema

You propose to make patronage mandatory as a solution?