Maxime Cinema is the independent movie theatre located on Blackwood High Street that has been in operation since 2007.
The cinema caters for all age demographics with an excellent variety of food and beverages available, including a licenced bar, making it a great setting for entertainment of the whole community. It is also a large employer for the area employing over 10 full time staff and 12 part time staff.
Having been impacted over the last 2 years with the COVID closures, they are gradually starting to build back on customer numbers since restrictions were lifted. Before COVID they were attracting over 350,000 visitors, which also helped raise the footfall for Blackwood and maintain the growth of other businesses based there.
As the film industry returns to providing the ‘must see’ blockbusters, visitor numbers are already around 230,000 with many more expected.
Owner, Steve Reynolds, was looking for grant support to replace all the flooring within the cinema due to health and safety reasons; some of the flooring was starting to drop by the seating areas in some of the screens. Funding was also needed to install LED illuminated nosing on all cinema stairwells for customers safety when the lights are dipped. It was felt that these improvements would not only help with the customers safety while in the premises but also improve the look and feel of the building.
Maxime Cinema received £22,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This grant was dedicated towards Maxime Cinema through Caerphilly County Borough Council’s intervention of UKSPF funds.
Owner Steve Reynolds has said “The help from Lauren and Sally at Caerphilly Council to apply for the Caerphilly Enterprise business support grant and then obtaining it, has made a real step to improving the overall customer experience and has allowed us to keep our prices low. Our commitment to Blackwood and making it a community focused cinema will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Regeneration & Climate Change, commented “Maxime Cinema in Blackwood is an absolute gem in the heart of the county borough. We’ve been delighted to support the business with grants, which have helped to provide an enjoyable experience at the venue”.
