Hucknall Nub News is delighted to announce Hucknall Arc Cinema as our new 'What's On' sponsor.

The cinema based on the High Street, was supposed to initially open in March 2020 but this was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and it finally opened its doors for the first time on 4 July.

However, there weren't any new films being released at this point, so the cinema chose to show classic films.

This culminated in the cinema screening classic horror films to coincide with Halloween weekend.

Following that weekend, the cinema was once again forced to close as a winter lockdown came into force across the UK. It would be another six months before it opened again.

Since then, it has gone from strength to strength, showcasing the latest blockbuster films, staging unique events as well as world premieres.

Manager Mark Gallagher said: "The big question in my job interview and the question I ask daily is: how are we different? Why are people going to choose here other than the fact it's a short walk if you live nearby, what makes us special? I think the key thing is to be a bit more personal.

"You go into a big chain cinema, and you're served typically by students who really don't want to be there, they're doing it for some part time money, they're reading from a script almost. They don't want to chat about the film, they don't want to know how your day's been, they don't want to know how's the wife, how's the kids, how's your mother-in-law, and we do, we want to know all that stuff.

"We're getting to know regular customers really well, we're in the community, we're talking to pubs and shop owners, we're in the local bank, we're in the local post office and for me that's what it's all about.

"If you love going out, you know how you want to be treated when you go out, so you treat customers the same way. People don't want to be served by a gormless robot they want to be served by a happy, chatty, enthused (person) and that definitely comes across.

"One member of staff in particular, Zanda, we constantly, constantly get comments about how fantastic his customer service is and how amazing he is. How unbelievably positive he is at 11 o'clock on a Sunday morning, he's like that 24/7. He's a real shining example of what we look for in a member of staff."

On the decision for the cinema to partner with Hucknall Nub News, Mr Gallagher said: "What I really like about Nub News is the way they look at the community in the same way we do. They're mega local, they're all about doing what it says on the tin almost, you're not going to see stories about Britain's Got Talent and Love Island, national stuff you see on the tabloid websites, it's all about local.

"All you want to read about is what's going on in Hucknall and surrounding areas. That's a bit like us, the personal touch. Tom who writes for Hucknall Nub, he comes in the cinema all the time, very chatty, very friendly. It's nice to see a face, I think other businesses in Hucknall would say the same thing."

Of the partnership, Regional Editor of Hucknall Nub News, Tom Surgay said: "I'm absolutely delighted to welcome Arc Cinema on board as our What's On sponsor.

"Since opening, the cinema has proved a hub of activity and a great place to source stories. They do more than just show films. They have put on a number of exciting and innovative events that have created a buzz around the town.

"Our What's On section is all about telling the local community about events happening in Hucknall and I can't think of a more apt sponsor than somewhere that hosts so many exciting evenings of entertainment."

Those aforementioned events began with a James Bond themed casino and cocktail evening which preceded a midnight screening of No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's final outing as the titular character.

There was also the world premiere of Hucknall resident Haresh Sood's debut film, My Niece's Big Fat Delhi Wedding, which documented one of Delhi's finest and most lavish weddings.

Other exclusive occasions have included having a replica Ecto-1, the car from the Ghostbusters films, parked outside the cinema to coincide with the first screenings of Ghostbusters: Afterlife. And a life-size replica of the robot Johnny 5, from cult 1980s science-fiction film Short Circuit, which was built by a Hucknall engineer, on display in the cinema. The film was screened twice that day, following special permission from the film's original producer John Hyde.

There are a string of events planned for 2022, including Pixar week during February half-term and a replica Batmobile being on display next month during the premiere of the highly anticipated 'The Batman' film directed by Matt Reeves.

The idea behind hosting such events is to give the local community more to get involved with and to get excited about.

Mark is passionate about Hucknall having first moved to the town 15 years ago and claims to "have fallen in love with it." He also employs a team of staff that live in the town giving it an extremely local and personal feel.

"Since running the cinema I've got to know so many people and seen the nicest people come in the cinema, they're absolutely fantastic.

"I think since the cinema's opened I like to think that's had a helping hand in maybe a bit of a rejuvenation. Obviously the pedestrianising of the high street, and McDonalds opening up has played a part too.

"There's lots of other things around Hucknall clearly attracting business now. I've got a six-year-old lad and I was saying the other day, I think when he's my age, Hucknall could be really gentrified."

Mark credits the support of the local people in helping the cinema get off the ground after a difficult start due to the global pandemic.

"From day one the people of Hucknall have supported this cinema from when we opened in July 2020. So many families, and young people, old people, people from all walks of life coming to watch films, they were really supportive.

"At Christmas when we were locked down, we were in tier 3 restrictions we couldn't open, we sold gift cards in the doorway. So many people came to buy gift cards and were telling us they didn't really need the gift cards but wanted to support the cinema and give us some of their hard-earned cash which was absolutely amazing and almost brought a tear to the eye. We'll be looking to support the local community as much as we can."

For more information about Hucknall's Arc Cinema see here. Don't forget Hucknall Nub News publishes weekly film and event times on a Friday to keep you up to date with what's on at the cinema.