Parkway Cinemas coming soon to Dunmail Park in Workington

J Dixon & Son Ltd and Parkway Cinemas have announced that a fully-refurbished cinema at Dunmail Park in Workington will be opening soon.

The multi-million pound refurbishment is due to open early this year.

Parkway has already been working for several months on a full “back-to-brick” refurbishment, with new seating, screens and sound throughout.

The new cinema will offer six screens as before, but with various walls and doorways remodelled to offer bigger and better screens.

There’s also going to be a coffee shop and bar, all new seating, and private hire areas.

(L-R) India Ellis, Daniel Moxon, Gerrard Parkes, Richard Parkes, Donald Dixon, Natalie Dixon, William Dixon, Charlotte Dixon, Bill Dixon, and Gordon Osbaldestin (Image: Lucy Jenkinson)

Customers will be able to hire out an entire screen for themselves, with dedicated area for parties and events as part of the offer.

Bill Dixon from Dixons said: “We approached a number of cinema chain operators who showed interest, and the best offer of a high quality fit out and operation was from Parkway.

“The Covid crisis has meant long delays in obtaining new equipment, but we agreed it was worth waiting a little longer for the best available.

“We are sure the result will please cinema-goers with luxury seats and even more leg room than before, as well as much improved projection equipment, screens, catering and other facilities.

“As a local, family-owned business we pride ourselves in giving west Cumbria the best in entertainment and shopping in our 140th year.”

The Dixon family look over the plans while seated in one of the cinema's private hire areas - which will be available for parties and events (Image: Lucy Jenkinson)

Richard Parkes, director of Parkway, said: “The location and the site are perfect for us. There are great spaces to put in some really impressive screens and seats, plus plenty of room for our food and drink offer too.

“We’ve had the chance to do a full ‘back-to-brick’ refurb to really make the most of the space. Everything you’ll see will be brand new. We’re putting in the 4k laser projection, 3D systems, amazing sound, it’s going to be brilliant, and we can’t wait to invite everybody in.”

Parkway are now recruiting for managers and general staff.

Gerrard Parkes, director of Parkway, said: “Our teams are the most important part of what we do. The sound and screen and film are why people visit for the first time, but it’s our people and the quality of service that keeps them coming back.

“We pay more than the minimum wage, and prefer to offer real contracts rather than zero hours, basically because it’s our business and it’s up to us!”

Dan Moxon, general manager of Parkway Workington, said: “What people expect from a cinema has changed over time. We’re not really competing with staying at home and watching a film on TV, it’s more about offering a great choice for people who want to go out instead.

“The screen, seats and sound all need to be great, obviously, but so does the service. Great coffee, great drinks, great food. We’ve introduced private hire areas too, so you can come for everything from a kid’s birthday to a wedding anniversary. It’s about much more than just the films.”

Dixons was established by Joseph Dixon in 1882, when he designed and made furniture to order in his Whitehaven workshop.

It is still owned by the Dixon family, with contributions from the third, fourth and fifth generations.

The business has since grown, with leading independent department stores on Lowther Street in Whitehaven and at Dunmail Park in Workington.

The site at Maryport Road in Workington was acquired by Dixons in the 1980s and a six-screen cinema, extra shops and a fast food outlet came later, as part of the company’s Millennium Project.

The previous cinema operator left in 2021.

Parkway Entertainment Company Ltd is a family business, started in the 1980s by Gerald and Denise Parkes.

The founder of the business, Gerald Parkes, passed away in May 2013, shortly after receiving an MBE for Services to UK Cinema. He was dedicated to cinema, spending his entire working life in the industry and receiving a Lifetime Achievement award in 2011, marking 50 years in the cinema industry.

Parkway has grown to be one of the most successful independent cinema operations in the country, with cinemas in Cleethorpes, Louth, Barnsley and Beverley.