ExxonMobil rolls out the red carpet, bringing cinema to Fawley with a £15,000 donation

In collaboration with Fawley Parish Council, the Fawley Community Cinema has been brought to life, meaning visitors can enjoy the latest releases in the comfort of the 50-seat venue, found at the Jubilee Parish Hall.

With the support of Fawley Parish Council’s dedicated volunteers, ExxonMobil equipped the not-for-profit cinema with a ceiling-mounted projector, a fixed screen for the stage area, and an advanced audio system with an induction loop for the hearing impaired, ensuring an inclusive experience for all. Additionally, the contribution covered the costs of new curtains and bespoke cinema posters.

Continuing the support, ExxonMobil backed the cinema's official launch event, which featured a matinee and evening showing of Michael Caine's latest release, 'The Great Escaper.'

With both showings selling out quickly, customers were treated to free drinks, fresh popcorn and “Mr Whippy” style ice cream before settling down on comfortable new chairs, also provided by ExxonMobil.

The Fawley Community cinema will be run by Fawley Parish Council and a dedicated band of volunteers. It is designed to be for the community, and not-for-profit, with any surplus being reinvested into the building and future events.

Cllr Alan Alvey, Chairman of Fawley Parish Council said: “The launch of the Fawley Community Cinema was a resounding success, truly embodying our vision of making culture accessible and affordable for the village.

“It's not just about entertainment; it's about enriching our community through shared experiences, made all the more possible by our exciting partnership with ExxonMobil Fawley who have been pivotal in this achievement.”

Cllr Alan continued: “I would like to also thank our staff and volunteers who helped to make the event such a success. The support we had on our launch night was overwhelming, and we’ve received nothing but positive feedback from our guests. Looking ahead, we have plans to further diversify our offerings, introducing more opportunities for independent and family-friendly films. We are extremely excited for the cinema’s future.

Following the success of the launch, the cinema will host two films on the first Saturday of each month at an affordable price of just £5 per ticket. The next showing will be the glittering blockbuster 'Wonka,' starring Timothée Chalamet on Saturday March 2, followed by 'One Life,' the true story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins, on Saturday April 6.

The cinema also has a refreshment area, run by dedicated volunteers from Fawley Events Committee, which sells tea, squash, and small tubs of New Forest Ice Cream.