Big Potential funding spreading joy for Jam Jar Cinema

An independent community cinema in North Tyneside is celebrating after receiving a timely funding boost with help from UNW.

Jam Jar Cinema, which is situated in the heart of Whitley Bay town centre, has received the £65,000 grant through Big Potential Advanced.

After receiving initial funding from North Tyneside Council and Start Up loans, Dan and the team converted a derelict job centre into a fully functional single screen venue with a licensed café and 50-seat theatre in September 2013. The funding means plans have now commenced expand their existing premises; giving them a greater capacity for access, ancillary space and potentially 2 additional screening rooms.

Chartered accountancy and business advisory firm UNW worked with Jam Jar to secure the funding.
“As well as screening the latest film releases and hosting many events, we also offer free community space to local groups and run successful education projects and training schemes. The corporate finance team at UNW, who helped us secure the funding, is incredibly passionate about the project we are undertaking, and we look forward to a long and successful collaboration with them.”

In addition to their refurbishment project, the funding will also enable Jam Jar to bring in industry specific professionals for brand creation and development, measuring social impact and development and to analyse market demand. This is in addition to creating a robust investment plan, which will be provided by UNW.

Jam Jar has also recently appointed Rachel Arkley as its new Head of Operations to support the growth of the venue. Dan added: “From an idea on a piece of paper 5 years ago, it’s incredible that Jam Jar is now in a position to bring in very skilled full-time staff members as we look to becoming a venue of regional significance.”

UNW is a leading independent firm of chartered accountants and business advisors that delivers a wide range of business services to its clients. For more information on grant opportunities or investment funds, please visit: http://www.unw.co.uk/expertise/