Leicester’s Phoenix Cinema will close two days a week starting tomorrow, a decision made for financial reasons, the organisation has confirmed.
Beginning April 1, Phoenix Cinema will close on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. New reception hours will be Monday, Thursday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Picture credit: Visit Leicester
Phoenix, an independent charity, has faced a series of significant challenges since 2020, according to a spokesperson speaking with the Leicester Times. These challenges include the COVID-19 pandemic, rising operational costs, decreasing public funding, and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“The financial strain has been exacerbated by the loss of a major grant and the additional burden of Employers’ National Insurance contributions following changes in the government’s budget,” the spokesperson explained.
The cinema opened its new extension in January 2023, following a project that began in 2016 when market conditions were more favorable. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project’s completion. The venue has also been encased in scaffolding due to the Leicester City Council’s cladding replacement program for the original Phoenix Square building, which started in early 2023 and is expected to finish this summer.
Previously, the Phoenix Cinema prided itself on being open 363 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. It has been a cornerstone of Leicester’s arts scene for the past 60 years.
Despite these cutbacks, the venue remains hopeful about its long-term future.
“Our award-winning expanded venue presents exciting opportunities for future growth, which should help us become more financially resilient in the long term,” the spokesperson added. “However, we are currently facing immediate financial challenges that require urgent action.”
The team has worked diligently to grow audiences and develop new income streams. “It is crucial that we reduce our operating costs to rebuild our funds, improve financial stability, and secure the Phoenix’s future. Moving to a five-day opening is an important step in this process,” the spokesperson concluded.
