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| Author | Mia Blakeney |
Dan Ellis, founder of the Jam Jar Cinema in Whitley Bay, has recently been awarded a British Empire medal for services to cinema.
The Jam Jar cinema was set up by Dan in 2013, named after an old North Tyneside tradition where locals would get into the cinema for a discounted price on the production of a glass jam jar. In this spirit, the Jam Jar Cinema became England’s first ever ‘Pay As You Please’ cinema in 2019, offering three different price tiers for tickets to allow customers to choose a price that best suits their financial situation. It was also named the best small business in the whole of the UK in 2020.
The British Empire Medal is awarded for a ‘hands-on’ service to the local community that has made a significant difference. It is clear that Dan is well-deserving of this accolade, with ten years spent creating and maintaining a warm and welcoming space for the community at the Jam Jar Cinema. Run by a team of 11 staff members, the cinema has three screens with the biggest seating 47 and the smallest seating 29, as well as a bar space.
The Jam Jar Cinema joined the DCM estate in 2020, and the partnership is still going strong. DCM is proud to support local independent cinemas, such as the Jam Jar, that bring both the best blockbusters and independent films to the local community.