Visitors to a Shropshire pub can enjoy a brush with fame alongside their pint after one of the world’s smallest cinemas was installed.
The Old Fighting Cocks in Oakengates, Telford, is providing more than just a pint for its regulars, after transforming its unused function room into a cosy 1960’s style traditional cinema.
The 32-seat cinema features tiered seating, a five-metre digital screen and surround sound to offer regulars the opportunity too view some of the latest films.
The Everards pub, which opened its cinema for the first time this month, also has cinema ushers who will provide customers with their favourite pub snacks and a pint during interludes.
David Goldingay, Old Fighting Cocks’ licensee and director of Ironbridge Brewery, said: “We have run the Old Fighting Cocks since March last year and have never made use of the function room.
“Going to the cinema can be extremely expensive and so I liked the idea of incorporating one into the pub and offering the latest films every Saturday night. Besides, what better way to enjoy a film than in a relaxing atmosphere with a pint of your favourite ale?”
The cinema’s preview night will see invited guests including the Lord Mayor of Oakengates and other local dignitaries test out this unique cinema experience with the timeless classic Casablanca.
The cinema opened to the public on January 15 with Inception being played.
It is encouraging children’s party bookings on a Friday and Saturday afternoon, offering a film of their choice for viewing. The Telford Film Society will also hold a members only evening at the cinema every Wednesday, showing black and white classics and a monthly World Cinema evening is due to start in March.
The new pub cinema is thought to be one of the smallest independent cinemas of its type in the world.
With space for 32 paying customers, it is only 11 seats larger than what is thought to be officially the world’s smallest cinema The Screen Room in Nottingham.
The Old Fighting Cocks is part of the Everard’s Project William scheme, pioneered in 2007 whereby the company teams up with local publicans or brewers to turn struggling or closed businesses into thriving ale houses.
As part of the agreement Everards relaxes its tie on cask conditioned ales to allow for a full and diverse range of products to reach customers.
At the Old Fighting Cocks, the Ironbridge Brewery offers a range of cask beers such as Foundry Gold, Steam and the award winning Ironbridge Pale Ale – winner of the Shropshire Brewers Challenge Trophy 2009-2010.
