Award-winning independent cinema operators John Tate and John Hewitt have submitted a planning application which, if approved by North Yorkshire Council, will bring big screen entertainment back to the heart of Ripon.
Their plan for a stylish three-screen cinema involves the re-purposing of the three-storey Original Factory Shop on Fishergate, whose closure was announced in February after 40 years of trading in the city.
John Tate told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog:
“Ripon is one of the few places of its size in the north of England that is without a cinema and we have been looking for an opportunity there for six years, as we believe that it is a city on the up and with great potential.
“By strange coincidence, I discovered during my research on Ripon that my grandfather and namesake, John Henry Tate, was born at a house on North Street in October 1883 and I take this as a lucky omen.
“We are delighted to have signed a lease, subject to planning, for a change of use from retail unit to cinema on 14–16 Fishergate and hope to secure the necessary permission to proceed as soon as possible.”
He added:
“We will be showing a wide range of films, including the latest blockbusters and current releases, alongside Event Cinema, National Theatre Live, Royal Opera House productions, cinema stage musicals, documentaries and independent foreign-language films.
“We will also have schemes for the over 60s, families with babies, and film-lovers of all ages will be able to enjoy food and drink in the comfortable lounge area or in the auditorium while watching a film or performance.”
Tate and Hewitt, both members of the Executive Board of the UK Cinema Association, have a strong track record with highly successful operations in Ilkley and Wetherby.
In 2022, Ilkley earned the prestigious Cinema of the Year prize at the Big Screen Awards.
Their investment in Wetherby saw the historic one-screen Film Theatre become a two‑screen venue with a new lounge, which opened in 2022.
Ripon BID Manager Lilla Bathurst said:
“We will do everything within our power to support the application, which will add substantially to the city’s retail and leisure offering.”
“This is phenomenal news for Ripon and is a further sign of the confidence that investors have in the historic Cathedral City of the Dales,
“ Our post‑covid recovery puts us high on the list of UK locations where independent businesses want to be — and importantly, places where people want to visit.”
“I believe that this £1.25 million investment will be the catalyst for further inward investment in our thriving city
