City cinema gets major revamp including brand new bar

An Oxford cinema has been given a major revamp featuring a brand new bar.

The Ultimate Picture Palace on Jeune Street off Cowley Road dates back to 1911 with its art deco building intact including the original box office window opening onto the street.

In 2022, the cinema celebrated becoming a community-owned business after a campaign in which over 1,200 local investors bought shares.

Now it has had another significant change with a new bar being installed at the location in the past few weeks.

The Ultimate Picture Palace dates back to 1911. (Image: Newsquest)

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After a few months of planning and a couple of days of redecorating, the brand new feature opened on Thursday, April 25.

Tom Jowett is the Head of Programming and Marketing at the cinema and revealed that the changes were to ensure guests remember their visits.

“Since the UPP became community-owned in 2022, we’ve been thinking of ways to make coming to our cinema a more memorable experience.

“There’s nothing better than settling into your seat with a big mug of tea or a glass of wine in one hand and a homemade brownie in the other while the lights go down and the trailers begin.

Tom works at the Ultimate Picture Palace in Oxford. (Image: Ultimate Picture Palace)

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“Coming to the cinema should feel like a treat to yourself, so we wanted to make coming to the UPP feel special no matter what your age or your background.

“It has made our cosy auditorium look even more inviting and special.

“We were also very keen to increase the number of local suppliers we work with, as an independent business ourselves we understand just how important that support is right now.”

Work included a new coat of fresh, colourful paint and the installation of some colourful menu boards.

“We’ve upped the number of local suppliers including guest wine and beers chosen by the good people of Grape Minds in Summertown,” added the 35-year-old.

The cinema became a community-owned business after a campaign in 2022. (Image: Newsquest)

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“There’s also a bespoke half-caffeinated blend of coffee batched up by East Oxford’s Missing Bean.

“If customers want something a little stronger, we now have a couple of cocktail options to choose from, including our own recipe Old Fashioned.

“We have also introduced our very own “Picked and Mixed” sweetie bags as well as freshly made popcorn for an instant hit of cinema nostalgia.

“And I guess it wouldn’t be the UPP without something a bit strange and quirky too – snacking pickles anyone?”

To celebrate the new bar, the Ultimate Picture Palace have programmed a season of classic ‘foody’ films this month.

These include Peter Greenaway’s 1989 flick The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, Juzo Itami’s 1988 “Ramen Western” Tampopo and Stanley Tucci’s 1996 hit Big Night.