Northampton filmhouse in talks over making drive-in cinema annual event after 5,500 people turn out to enjoy open air movie nights

Bosses at Northampton Filmhouse have thanked audiences for topping up their revenue at the drive-in cinema while their screens were closed to the public
By Carly Roberts
Published 12th Aug 2020, 10:47 BST
Updated 12th Aug 2020, 11:06 BST
The drive-in cinema welcomed more than 5,500 viewers over the course of three weeks.The drive-in cinema welcomed more than 5,500 viewers over the course of three weeks.
The drive-in cinema welcomed more than 5,500 viewers over the course of three weeks.

Northampton Filmhouse and Delapré Abbey chiefs are in talks over making the drive-in cinema an annual event after the success of their open air movie nights last month.

Filmhouse@Delapré welcomed 5,500 people over three weeks, with 1,500 cars driving in to experience movies against the backdrop of Delapré park.

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Richard Clinton, chief executive of Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust said: “This was a brand new event and everyone at Delapré has worked so hard to make the drive-in a success.

Many screenings were a sell out, which helped to raise funds for the venues.Many screenings were a sell out, which helped to raise funds for the venues.
Many screenings were a sell out, which helped to raise funds for the venues.

"I very much hope we can offer similar experiences at the abbey in the near future, and we are certainly talking to the Filmhouse team to make sure that the drive-in can now become an annual event."

The cinema was set up during the pandemic as a safe way to enjoy an evening out with a socially distanced bar area and food vans.

Twenty-three films were on offer ranging from Casablanca to Grease and including The Greatest Showman, Parasite and Northampton’s very own Kinky Boots.

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Jo Gordon, chief executive of Northampton Filmhouse added: “We were thrilled to be able to make something positive happen during such a torrid time for so many people.

"The fact it has been so welcomed, and that thousands of people have supported the event by coming along, is the cherry on top.

"We’re grateful to have been able to offer a bit of Filmhouse magic to the summer, despite our usual screens remaining closed.”

Bosses added that the events also brought a small amount of "vital income" to both organisations, which were forced to close on March 18, with Northampton Filmhouse still uncertain about when it can safely and cost effectively reopen.

Related topics:Northampton FilmhouseDelapre Abbey

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