Cinema shortlisted for top award

ROYAL Cinema in Sutton Coldfield, which was formerly an Empire and before that an Odeon, has been shortlisted for the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) Cinema of the Year 2025.

- NICK HORNER News Reporter

The Royal lay idle since the Covid pandemic of 2020, when it closed during the second nationwide lockdown when did not reopen when restrictions were lifted.

Then its owners, Empire Cinemas, went into administration in July 2023 leaving fears the cinema would not reopen again.

But independent cinema group, PDJ Cinemas, owned by the Jervis family, stepped in at the start of 2024 promising to refurbish the former Odeon back to its 1930s Art Deco heyday.

It opened up the Grade II-listed cinema's foyer and large windows, creating a new bar area and upgrading the four screens with new audio and visual equipment as well as comfy sofa or armchair seating.