After 16 years since its opening, the cinema in Tarbes has undertaken extensive renovation work while maintaining its activities. Nearly 3 million euros will be invested to modernize the offering and improve customer service.
Located in the Arsenal district, the CGR cinema has played a leading role in the renaissance of this former industrial stronghold, opening its doors on April 28, 2010, before anyone else. Over sixteen years, the complex has welcomed nearly six million spectators. The time had come to change the decor, with a construction site that started three weeks ago and is set to continue until the end of June and the Cinema Festival, with a total investment of around 3 million euros.
A new “cozy, sleek, modern, bright, with woody notes” environment awaits the audience. Starting with the hall where the desks, under-used, have disappeared. The counter will be completely redesigned and moved to the location of the toilets, “to avoid the line for screenings interfering with the counter. The freed space will allow the creation of two real relaxation areas. “Everything is being done to improve capacity but above all the quality of service.” New lighting, modern yet energy-efficient (with the deployment of LEDs inside and in the parking lot, consumption has decreased by 40% in three years), will also be implemented. The industrial elements like the crane, which are iconic of the place, will be retained.
While the corridors leading to the theaters will undergo a complete transformation, the projection areas will only see minor changes. The 541 seats in theater 1 will be replaced and now numbered for seat reservation, benefiting the other rooms as well. With the conversion of the last two projectors, all devices will be upgraded to the latest generation laser. The sound system will also be improved for a “better customer experience.”
For three months, this construction site will coexist with the regular operation of the cinema, which was showing, among other films, a biopic of Michael Jackson on Wednesday. “We have to juggle,” says Olivier Ture. “The noisiest work is done in the morning, in coordination with the companies. The phasing is well planned. We want people to see and feel that we cherish them.” The new setting is expected to be completed by the end of June.
