Ice cream vendors give film fans a taste of the past (From thisisoxfordshire)

Ice cream vendors give film fans a taste of the past

2:10pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

OXFORD’S Phoenix Picturehouse is offering film fans a taste of the past in its 100th year with the return of the usherette vendor’s ice cream tray.

The North Oxford Kinema, as it was first known, opened in Walton Street in March 1913 and is celebrating its centenary with a host of special exhibitions, screenings and vintage touches.

Acting manager Stuart Jarvis, 58, said: “I was sorting out a store cupboard when I found the old ice cream trays and I thought: “Perfect!”

“A few weeks ago, as part of the centenary celebrations, we re-started our late night, weekend screenings, which we stopped in the 80s. What better addition to those films than having ice creams sold, like they used to be, on trays in the aisles, during the interval?”

Famous Oxford ice cream makers G&Ds in Little Clarendon Street, have also joined the ‘retro club’, offering to create a special ice cream which will be sold at the Phoenix during its actual 100th anniversary weekend of March 15 to 17.

Mr Jarvis said: “We are asking customers for their ideas on what flavour it should be – we want something really original, like the Phoenix.”

People living near the cinema are being asked for their opinions on a new colour scheme for the entrance, which is set for an ambitious facelift.