FILM fans can now enjoy an even wider picture following the opening of a new cinema in the heart of the Lake District, writes Jim Smith.

For the man behind the venture, it marks the realisation of a long-held ambition to screen a more varied mixture of movies.

Derek Hook is no stranger to the local cinema scene, having run Zeffirellis in Ambleside for the past 23 years.

But by transforming the town's old junior school into a state-of-the-art cinema, he has doubled the number of screens in the town to four.

Derek has invested £150,000 in the project, which has breathed fresh life into an old building that had stood empty for some years.

Situated just a few hundred yards down the road from his Compston Road cinema, close to St Mary's Parish Church, the newly-christened Zeffirellis by the Park is already proving popular with punters.

"The Kelsick Trust approached me about taking over the building, and I thought it would be an ideal time to turn it into a two screen cinema. That way we could have a more varied programme," explained Derek.

Five months of work has seen the old school converted into two auditoriums, one seating 110 people, and the other 60. Both feature big screens plus all the mod cons you'd expect from today's cinema Dolby surround sound, air conditioning, and comfortable seats with plenty of leg-room.

But unlike the out-of-town multiplexes springing up elsewhere, Zeffirellis by the Park boasts bagfuls of character both inside and out.

A ramp has been installed to give disabled people easy access into the building, but otherwise the exterior remains largely untouched.

Anyone seeking a slice of something a different from the standard diet of Hollywood blockbusters is already reaping the rewards.

For the two extra screens have enabled Derek to show art house fayre such as L'Homme du Train, Adaptation and The Magdalene Sisters, with the promise of much more to come.

"Our philosophy is to have a varied programme that's what our audiences like round here. The extra screens means we can show these films not just for a day, but for longer runs of perhaps a week," said Derek.

Zeffirellis' popular double feature' deal a two course meal in the 180-cover restaurant and a reserved cinema seat also covers the new cinema.

Derek is convinced the venture will whet the appetite of the area's more discerning cinemagoers and all the signs suggest he's on to a winner.

May 22, 2003 11:30