Charles Morris of Northern Morris Cinemas has been recognised for his lifetime contribution to the UK cinema sector in the New Year Honours List 2026, receiving an MBE for ‘services to cinema in the North of England’.
Even before Charles formally joined the cinema industry, he had already involved himself in every aspect of the business from his early teens, helping the projectionist and creating hand-painted adverts at the Winter Gardens Cinema in Hoylake in the early 1960s. He also ran film societies at school and university.
Having worked in the MoD as an electronic engineer, Charles returned to his first love of cinema with the acquisition of his first site, the Victoria Hall in Settle, North Yorkshire in 1986, two years later acquiring the Rex in Elland.
In the time since then he has established his own company, Northern Morris Associated Cinemas, and now runs five cinemas: the Rex, Elland, one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas in the UK; the Plaza, Skipton and the Picture House Keighley, both of which are over 100 years old; the Roxy, Ulverston, opened in 1937; the Cottage Cinema, Leeds; and until 2024 the Royalty, Windermere, where silent classics were shown with an accompaniment from a Wurlitzer organ.
All are much-loved local cinemas in communities that without Charles’ dedication would undoubtedly not enjoy local opportunities for cinema-going. Even now, in his mid-seventies, Charles is very much ‘hands-on’, booking films for each site and leading on the necessary maintenance and aspects of all aspects of each site.
Welcoming the announcement, UK Cinema Association Chief Executive said:
“I know that the UK cinema sector will join me in congratulating Charles on this well-deserved recognition. He is hugely well-respected across our entire industry for his dedication and knowledge.”