THE Plaza Cinema in Skipton is to be expanded and restored to its former glory after being bought by a movie-mad entrepreneur.

After nearly 80 years in the hands of the family who launched it, Charles Morris has realised his dream after first falling in love with the building while on a canal holiday 20 years ago.

He takes over from Boris Hartley, from Barnoldswick, whose grandfather Matthew Hartley acquired the Sackville Street venue in the 1920s.

The handover next Friday will mark the end of lengthy negotiations for Mr Hartley who has been wanting to retire after years of devoted service to the Plaza.

The first change at the cinema, to take place immediately, will be for it to open on Sundays, but more ambitious plans are in the pipeline.

Mr Morris says there is room for two additional screens at the rear of the existing auditorium, and ornate features which have been hidden for years will be revealed and restored.

The proud new owner told the Herald: "I am aware the Plaza is an established cinema that has served the town well for many years.

"I don't want to do anything which will spoil what people like about the Plaza but I think it will be an immediate improvement if more shows are put on with a wider variety of films.

"I will be consulting staff about the changes I propose to make. What I will be doing very soon is installing new seats throughout the cinema. These have been in store at the Plaza for some while and I hope to fit them in the next few weeks."

The Plaza was originally a chapel and was converted into a cinema, then known as The Gem, in the days of silent pictures.

Mr Morris, of Grange-over-Sands in Cumbria, said there was still a niche for independent cinemas as an alternative to the giant multiplexes. He hopes to compete with his expansion plans.

He added: "Traditional town centre cinemas are very popular and at the Plaza we have plenty of space to go at.

"There is room for possibly two more screens at the back of the building which we can create without destroying the present auditorium.

"I find people are fascinated to discover there are still cinemas with stalls and balcony seats. It is my intention to bring the present cinema back to its former glory and restore its decorative features, but still make it a comfortable and welcoming place for all ages."

Charles has made a career out of his childhood love of cinema, and has made successes of the Picture House in Keighley, the Rex at Elland and the Royalty in Bowness on Windermere.

He was seven when he saw his first film, Lady and the Tramp, in his home town of Hoylake, Merseyside, and projected his first film at the age of 12.

The Plaza was the last of the cinemas owned by the family firm of Matthew Hartley & Sons Ltd. The others were the Palace and the Majestic in Barnoldswick, the Empire in Earby, the Regal in Tadcaster and the Premier in Skipton.

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