Recently, Suella met with KC Suri, Owner of Reel Cinemas, and Aidan Crawford, General Manager of the Reel Cinema in Fareham. During her visit Suella was shown around the cinema and met with the local team to learn more about how the cinema is operating post-pandemic and how crucial Government funding supported them during the pandemic.
Just over two years ago the country was plunged into lockdown due to the severe health threat posed by Covid-19. With the economy coming to a standstill, many small and independent businesses like Reel Cinemas were challenged with maintaining their businesses at a time of incredible uncertainty. Businesses were forced to temporarily close in order to save lives. Resultantly, Reel Cinemas found themselves in a position in which they were unable to produce the vital funds to keep their business afloat.
However, thanks to a £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund rescue package for cultural organisations, cinemas like Reel were able to survive the temporary closures caused by lockdowns. The Culture Recovery Fund saw 209 independent cinemas benefitting from a share of £33.8 million. In October 2020, Reel Cinema in Fareham received £9,997 from this fund and in February 2021, they received a further £115,385.
Suella was delighted to hear that this funding from the Government has played an essential role in helping Reel Cinemas to keep its doors open, allowing many Fareham residents to continue enjoying the many benefits that this cinema brings to the local area. To date Reel Cinemas have received a total of £1.5 million in support from the Department of Digital Culture, Media and Sports across their thirteen branches.
Commenting Suella said:
“We were all impacted heavily by the pandemic. At the time it was clear that lockdown had to happen in order to protect the NHS and save lives. This however took an immense toll on many independent businesses like the Reel Cinema in Fareham. That is why I was very glad to see the Government stepping in and providing essential support through the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund rescue package. It was wonderful to visit the cinema and to see it thriving. The Reel Cinema is cherished by many of us in Fareham, I am really pleased that the Government’s support has helped to keep this much-loved cinema in our community.”
