The force to open before Christmas for Parkway Cinema was there for all to see. On Friday, 18th December 2015, Parkway opened its doors to the public following a soft launch earlier in the week. The new 6-Screen Parkway cinema in Beverley, was ready for the new Star Wars film, "The Force Awakens". Appropriate for Parkway Cinema.
At the time General Manager Cliff Baillie commented, "We look forward to week one being dominated by the phenomenon of Star Wars, but there will be a great selection of fantastic films to enjoy. This is just the start, with live opera, theatre and ballet in our Event Cinema Season starting in January.
"We’ll be offering special weekly film screenings which we hope will appeal to a wide and differing
audience. We hope we have opened a cinema worthy of the East Riding and we look forward to
welcoming everyone in the years to come.”
The Parkway Cinema offers six digital screens equipped with Dolby 7.1 sound, and the largest
auditorium boasts stunning 4K projection plus a fully equipped stage for live performances.
Parkway looks forward to Thursday 18th December 2025, officially the 10th Anniversary.
Richard Parkes, director of Parkway, commented, "It’s hard to believe it’s been ten years! We work hard to get the mixture of traditional service and modern technology right, and Beverley has been really welcoming and supportive.
"We genuinely thought COVID might kill us off, but the support throughout that time and the positive
response since we reopened are wonderful. It’s the team and the customers that breathe life into a
cinema, and it’s that community feeling that we’re most proud of.”
For a full decade, Parkway Cinema Beverley, an independent cinema in the Flemingate Shopping Retail Centre has been much more than a place to watch films. It has become a cultural anchor, a community hub, and a testament to what passionate, locally driven arts spaces can accomplish. Parkway is one of the most successful independent cinemas in the country, still familyowned and run by the Parkes family and their close-knit team.
As they celebrate their 10-year anniversary in Beverley, the cinema reflects on a journey shaped by creativity, resilience, and a steadfast belief in the power of storytelling.
Andrew Cooper, Multi Site General manager added, "It’s an incredible honour to celebrate ten years of Parkway Cinema Beverley. I have been fortunate to work for Parkway for twentyone years, and I still remember being involved in recruiting the very first team here in Beverley a decade ago, before we opened our doors to the lovely local community.
"To now be managing this wonderful cinema for the past three years feels like coming full circle, and it’s something I’m truly proud of".
Andrew continued, "From the very beginning, Parkway Beverley became more than just a place to watch films. It grew into a meeting point, a memory maker, and a real heartbeat of the town. One of my favourite parts of each day is stepping into the foyer and catching up with our regular customers.
"You start to know who never misses a big blockbuster, who prefers a quiet midweek matinee, and who’s always eager to chat about last night’s big twist. Those conversations remind me how deeply this cinema is woven into everyday life of this lovely town".
Parkway Cinema Beverley has, over the years, continued to grow a sense of community, which is perhaps the cinema’s greatest achievement.
Having had Q&A sessions with filmmakers, themed festivals, and special screening times, supporting local charities has been a big plus for regular film buffs / film connoisseurs.
Richard Parkes added "The last decade has been dominated by blockbuster franchises and the growth of streaming at home, but there’s still an audience for intimate, thought-provoking cinema.
"We’ve been lucky enough to cultivate a loyal community of film lovers who come not only for the screenings but also for the conversations that follow. Cinema is a community event, a group experience, and we like to think we’re part of that community spirit, a little hub in the heart of Beverley".
Parkway staff are polite, well-versed, welcoming and know regulars by name. One regular commented, "It feels like an extension of my living room, comfortable and relaxing.
