Movie goers arrived along a velvet rope and walked the red carpet at the gala opening of a plush new boutique cinema.

The Living Room Cinema in Chipping Norton held its grand opening on Friday, with guests treated to champagne in the stylish cafe bar.

Founder and CEO Claire Beswick, who was formerly head of programming for Curzon and Odeon Cinemas, and creative director Nicole Carmen-Davis gave heartfelt welcoming speeches before ticket-holders headed into the screening rooms to watch Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One.

 

Witney Gazette: Photo courtesy of The Living Room Cinema Chipping Norton, interior foyer and bar with guests. Photo

The evening raised over £900 for charity Thrive North Ox which will buy summer food vouchers as well as uniforms and shoes for struggling local families ahead of the new school year.

Food, wine and the red carpet for the evening were donated by local businesses.

Ms Beswick said: "We had an amazing opening night with a full house in both screening rooms. We’re very grateful to Chipping Norton for all the support they are showing us and Thrive North Ox."

Witney Gazette: LRC-615-388 // Photo courtesy of The Living Room Cinema Chipping Norton, interior foyer and bar

The cinema, created in vacant premises formerly occupied by the Harpers hardware store, promises to support the local economy, working alongside other local businesses, stocking local products, and welcoming families back into the heart of the High Street.

Film fans enjoy cocktails and snacks while lounging on luxurious solo armchairs and two-seater sofas in the two state-of-the-art screening rooms.

The cafe-bar will be open all day offering speciality coffee, sourdough pizzas, charcuterie and cheese boards, pastries and cakes as well as warmed sweet and salty popcorn.

In the evening, the cafe will serve cocktails, a wine list and local artisanal beers.

Ms Beswick has curated the summer programme with a mix of blockbuster films, documentaries and live screenings including hotly anticipated movies Oppenheimer, Pixar’s Elemental, and Barbie, starring Margot Robbie.

Meanwhile the Live Events series will offer streamed live music concerts, opera, ballet and theatre and the In Conversation With feature from the cinema's other venue in Liphook, Hampshire, will welcome Phil Grabsky, artistic director of Exhibition On Screen as the first guest in August.