Property development and energy company the Banks Group has become the first business to sponsor a seat in the 1950s cinema being recreated at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North.
The County Durham open air museum has built a recreation of the Grand, from Ryhope in Sunderland as part of its 1950s Town.
And individuals and businesses are now being given the unique opportunity to sponsor a cinema seat as part of Beamish's Take a Seat campaign.
Those who do Take a Seat receive a brass plaque on the back of the seat with their name engraved on it, as well as an invitation to a special celebration event.
Businesses such as the Banks Group who sponsor a cinema seat will also have the opportunity to have their logo displayed on screen in the rolling credits following a newsreel or film as an extra thank you.
Liz Peart, Partnerships Officer at Beamish Museum, said: “We are delighted that the Banks Group is the first business to be taking a seat in our 1950s cinema and would like to thank them for their ongoing and very generous support of the museum and particularly our Remaking Beamish project.”
Banks is a long-term supporter of Beamish, with a £10,000 grant from the Banks Community Fund supporting the museum’s recreation of the celebrated North East artist Norman Cornish’s Spennymoor home, and a £20,000 grant aiding the construction of a replica of the Coundon and Leeholme Community Centre.
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added:
“By bringing history to life through outstanding projects like the 1950s cinema, Beamish is safeguarding and strengthening links to the North East’s unique history and heritage.
"It’s a real jewel in the region’s tourism offering, and as a fellow County Durham-based business, we’re proud to be continuing our long-term support for its fantastic work.”
Prior to the Banks Group becoming the first business to sponsor a seat, the opportunity had already been taken up by a number of individuals, many of whom have personal or family connections to the original cinema.
Seat sponsorship is being sold on a first come, first served basis from the museum’s online shop, sponsorship is subject to terms and conditions. Individual seat sponsorship is £295, with a package available for businesses priced at £5,000 which includes acknowledgement of the sponsorship on screen. Visit www.beamish.org.uk for more information.
