City Screen reopened today after a £300,000 refurbishment. YorkMix creative director Richard McDougall was interested to see the result.
Having already revealed the branding almost exactly one month ago, viewing the final designs applied to the venue was interesting.
The overwhelming first impression is of space and much better use of it. The bar now opens out into the foyer. Or the foyer now leads into the bar. It doesn’t matter which as it works very well.
Without the dividing wall the concrete ceiling and support pillars are now more evident, and this gives a contemporary uninterrupted view of this interesting building.
Coffee ordered and safely installed in the revamped bar, we were a little unsettled to see the sort of chairs featured in the Bridge Café, frequented by losers from BBC1 show The Apprentice. However, application of the brand colours, most noticeably yellow, lifted the mood and gave the bar a more youthful appeal. The chairs are also comfortable and allow more room around them for mums with pushchairs and wheelchair access.
The menu is familiar and to much relief, the old favourite of home made chips and aioli were still present. Quite possible the most expensive chips in York, but also the best!
Observing other visitors arriving for the first time, all showed the same reaction as me. A pause for re-orientation, then a smile.