ADI Bring Summer Open Air Cinema to Spinningfields

Spinningfields, a new award-winning development in central Manchester, has been transformed into an open air cinema this summer, thanks to an LED screen from ADI.

Huge crowds of over 1,000 for Breakfast at Tiffany's on a Thursday night The Virtuality LED screen has been installed in Hardman Square, which has been developed to create a public space where people can relax on the landscaped lawns with refreshments from the surrounding bars and restaurants.

ADI have installed a semi-permanent screen in Hardman Square for an initial 19 week period over the summer. Spinningfields hire the screen from ADI during this period, with the option to purchase outright at the end of the summer.

"We first approached ADI about this idea in Spring of this year and were pleasantly surprised at both the speed in which they were able to put together a solution and the way in which they have structured the deal.

"The film nights have been a roaring success with over a thousand people in the square some nights, whilst sporting events such as Wimbledon have also proved popular.

"It’s definitely being seen as a welcome addition and there’s a real buzz around the city about it as the word spreads."

Fran Goddard, Communications and Events Manager at Spinningfields Management Company

Programming
Rather than worry about purchasing or creating bespoke programming for the screen, Spinningfields have opted to use the screen for a mixture of sports, movies, news and family entertainment.

Relaxing in the sun watching WimbledonUnlike the BBC screens in a number of UK city centres, Spinningfields are not restricted to showing only BBC channels, allowing them to broadcast some of the key summer sporting events, such as the Ashes and World Twenty20 cricket and The British and Irish Lions rugby union test matches, as well as BBC programming such as Formula One, Wimbledon and Royal Ascot.

Classical music fans are also catered for with a variety of concerts including the full summer proms programme, which runs from mid July until mid September.

During other times, the screens show free-to-air news programming, creating a relaxed atmosphere in the square which encourages people to gather during lunchtimes or after work.

Film Nights
On Thursday nights, the area transforms into a giant outdoor cinema, with a different movie shown each week from an eclectic line-up including cult classics such as Withnail and I, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Grease along with Hollywood blockbusters such as The Incredibles, and Quantum of Solace.

Film Nights have been incredibly popular with crowds of over a thousand on sunny evenings. Spinningfields generate additional income through concessions sales as well as hire of deckchairs and picnic blankets, whilst surrounding bars and restaurants also do brisk trade.

The screen has proved great for trade at the bars and restaurants in Hardman SquareLocal Businesses
The new screen has been welcomed with open arms by the bars and restaurants that line Hardman Square, as it incentivises people to spend time in the Square, particularly for long sporting events such as the Ashes or Wimbledon.

Film nights bring an even bigger increase in trade, with crowds of over 1,000 for Thursday evenings over summer providing obvious financial benefits for both local businesses and for Spinningfields.