Lake District: The Royalty, Bowness will close soon

The leaseholder of The Royalty Cinema in Bowness has announced he will soon be surrendering the deal he has with the council to run the business. 

The historic Lakes cinema has been run by Charles Morris for decades.

The Royalty was built by public subscription and opened as the Public Hall in 1927 (Image: Submitted)

Mr Morris, who also operates The Roxy in Ulverston and other cinemas in Yorkshire, said 'it's losing too much money.' 

It will shut its doors on August 1 to move items such as digital projectors owned by his company Northern Morris out of the premises before the lease officially expires on August 8.

The Royalty was built by public subscription and opened as the Public Hall in 1927. 

The opening programme included a variety bill plus the film ‘The Wanderer’, a silent film drama from 1925 directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Wallace Beery and Tyrone Power. 

The broadcasting entertainer Billy Barnes provided piano accompaniment.

The public hall was built with a stage and flat maple floor downstairs. Dances were held in the early years and there were professional theatre productions as well as amateur performances. 

A Westmorland and Furness spokesperson said: "The council would like to thank Charles Morris and all the team for the service they have provided to the community over many years."

The premiere of Miss Potter at the cinema in 2006 (Image: Lindsey Dickings)

When Mr Morris took on the cinema he said it was the only screen between Bowness, Ambleside and Kendal but this has since increased to 11. 

Charles Morris is interviewed at the premiere of Miss Potter (Image: Lindsey Dickings)

Mr Morris said cinemas now also have to compete with streaming and illegal downloads of new movies. 

In terms of Bowness, he said: "The visitor pattern in the area has changed. People used to come for a week or a fortnight. 

"Now people look at the weather forecast for if the weather is fine - you don't get people stopping round."

He also said bed and breakfasts and holiday lets have changed the community in the area. The overheads for the business, such as wages, have increased 'dramatically', he added.

Mr Morris said his other cinemas, such as The Roxy in Ulverston, subsidise The Royalty. 

The present proprietor Charles Morris has been at the helm for more than thirty years (Image: Submitted)

Mr Morris said: "It's going to be quite a wrench. It's extremely sad. I have been wrestling with the business for over a year."

Mr Morris's first cinema started in Yorkshire. The Royalty expanded his empire into the Lake District - which is now where Mr Morris and his wife are based.  

The council spokesperson added: "The Royalty is a venue that is highly valued by locals and visitors alike. As such, and as owners of the building, the council would like to find a new operator for the cinema as quickly as possible and is now in discussions with a potential tenant.

"We will update on developments just as soon as we are able."