Clacton's last cinema Flicks set to close

Clacton's last cinema set to close Clacton's last cinema set to close

A LONG-RUNNING cinema in Clacton is set to close.

Flicks, on Pier Avenue, has been showing films on the big screen since it was built in 1936.

It also hosted live shows in its early years, but is going to close its doors on November 3.

The iconic Pier Avenue building is owned by the Gala Coral Group. It is also used to run bingo sessions, which will continue.

But the two-screen cinema will stop running next month.

A spokesman for the cinema said: “We can confirm we have notified our staff about the closure of the cinema.

“It is not a decision we have taken likely and in no way reflects the dedication and commitment of our staff over the years, but trading has been difficult for a long period.

“We are considering the welfare of our staff and customers every step of the way and are currently in consultation with the cinema’s 15 employees.

“Where possible we are looking to find them alternative employment opportunities within the Gala Coral Group.”

Comments(9)

supersea says...
2:49pm Thu 18 Oct 12

A sad sign of the times. Meanwhile pay day loan shops & Bookmakers are appearing everywhere. Says it all really.

Mr Flicks says...
4:20pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Seems its ok for our children to be lured to the damaging effects of gambling,but to give them somewhere to go in the evenings for entertainment is not an option.This will be a major blow to the town no doubt but not a concern for the owners.Would they be so keen to close if the council no longer issued a gaming licence?

EdLoach says...
4:37pm Thu 18 Oct 12

Perhaps whoever now owns the Clacton Factory Outlet can start building the multi-screen on their car park that looks to have had permission since 2010 - http://idox.tendring
dc.gov.uk/online-app
lications/applicatio
nDetails.do?activeTa
b=summary&keyVal=KYC
NTIQB09L00 as there is now a larger target market of people who would like to see films without travelling to Harwich, Colchester, or further.

roger bacon says...
11:55am Fri 19 Oct 12

EdLoach wrote:
Perhaps whoever now owns the Clacton Factory Outlet can start building the multi-screen on their car park that looks to have had permission since 2010 - http://idox.tendring

dc.gov.uk/online-app

lications/applicatio

nDetails.do?activeTa

b=summary&keyVal
=KYC
NTIQB09L00 as there is now a larger target market of people who would like to see films without travelling to Harwich, Colchester, or further.
Where would the cinemagoers come from . As the population of the area has got bigger the number of cinemas has got less. Over time Clacton had 6 cinemas and soon they all will have closed. Who would want to build a cinema complex with those figures.

Legend Killa says...
12:31pm Fri 19 Oct 12

@ Roger Bacon

I don't really understand what you are saying. The reason Flicks is closing down is because people from this area would rather make the trip to Colchester or Ipswich to watch movies at a new state of the art cinema than what is now days like sitting in your front room at Flicks. If they build a new cinema with multiple screens including 3D it would add many jobs and the people from Clacton would stay here rather than go elsewhere. I think I speak on behalf of most when I say it's a fantastic idea that needs to happen.

countrystyle says...
1:13pm Fri 19 Oct 12

Think one of the main problems was they could never tell you in advance which films were going to be shown so you couldnot make plans. If you want to see a certain film you go to Colchester or Ipswich in case it doesn't come to Clacton. Thought people are supposed to be hard up. Where else can you go for £3.50?

Another Point of View says...
4:35pm Mon 22 Oct 12

The people that own the Common are in administration themsleves. With the dry up of money for business development it seems Clacton will likely have no cinema for the immediate future. A disaster for the town.

thecapedcrusader69 says...
9:38am Tue 23 Oct 12

Finally! The cinema is very outdated I think the system I have in my lounge has better viewing quality and the best bit is my house is clean unlike this place. I have no problem with making the trip to Colchester to watch a film on a state of the art screen. Maybe if it was updated i would go there.

Smouldering Ewok says...
2:55am Wed 24 Oct 12

Close the Accursed Amusement arcades, build a quality cinema and the people will rejoice.
Slot machines are a menace to society, but movies inspire innovation.

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