British Empire Medal for Jam Jar’s Dan Ellis

A REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT for his contribution to cinema, Dan Ellis, the founder of Whitley Bay’s independent cinema, has received the prestigious British Empire Medal. At the age of just 33, Dan received the honour for his services to cinema as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee honours, although due to delays caused by the late Queen’s passing, he was only recently able to collect the medal.

Dan established the Jam Jar Cinema in 2013 with a mission to bring the magic of cinema to the town of Whitley Bay. His aim was to offer cinema-goers a more personal experience, away from the corporate ‘cuboid auditorium’. Jam Jar has become one of the best loved spots in the area and was even named the best small business in the UK in 2020.

The Jam Jar has three cinema screens, the largest of which seats 47, while the smallest seats 29, and there is a warm and welcoming bar. Visitors can watch everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to independent British films, and the venue has become a real favourite among locals, thanks in part to its affordable ticket prices.

IN 2019, Jam Jar became England’s first-ever ‘Pay As You Please’ cinema, offering three different ticket price tiers to suit its visitors’ financial situation. Additionally, the cinema is committed to supporting local causes and has donated all profit from ticket sales of the film ‘To Leslie’ to local charities that help people affected by the issues portrayed in the film. After a challenging period during the pandemic, the Jam Jar venue has bounced back stronger than ever, with 2021 being its most successful year. Dan is now planning to open a second Jam Jar venue in the region by the end of next year.

Naturually, Dan is incredibly proud of what the cinema and his dedicated staff have achieved in the past decade. “I’ve got the best job in the world,” he says. Something, we’d all agree with. A lovely reminder that fulfillment and purpose are alive and kicking in our industry.

Many Congratulations to you Dan!