Cinema 'entering a new era' after difficult period

THE Tyneside Cinema has unveiled a new board of trustees and a new chair as it looks to turn the corner on a difficult recent period.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

The arthouse cinema has battled financial difficulties in recent years and also saw its senior leadership leave in 2020 after a report criticised its response to allegations of sexual harassment by staff. With the cinema approaching its 90th anniversary, it has appointed a number of new trustees, with St Oswald’s Hospice CEO Steph Edusei as its new chair.

That follows the appointment of Nic Greenan as its new CEO and custodian earlier this year. The cinema said it had come to the brink of closure last year as rising energy costs and lower audiences after the pandemic put a major strain on its finances. A public fundraising campaign raised more than £100,000 to keep the cinema open.