Gandey’s Circus has announced a partnership with Manchester Foundation Trust charity to support an ambitious project to build a purpose-designed MediCinema at Manchester Royal Infirmary.
The initiative aims to “transform the hospital experience” for thousands of patients treated each year across the Oxford Road Campus.
Many face long or repeated stays, which can be isolating, emotionally draining and disruptive for families.
The charity hopes the new MediCinema will offer a rare opportunity for patients to step away from the clinical environment and enjoy the simple pleasure of watching a film together – and Gandey’s World Class Productions has stepped in to help fund the facility.
The proposed 50-seat cinema will be fully accessible and built at no cost to the NHS. Developed in partnership with the BAFTA-winning charity MediCinema, the facility will serve patients from Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary.
It will be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, hospital beds and essential medical equipment, with screenings supported by MediCinema nurses and trained volunteers to ensure patients can attend safely.
Once complete, the MediCinema is expected to host around 260 screenings a year, showing a mix of new releases and classic films. The charity said the space would provide not only entertainment, but also “a sense of normality, distraction and shared experience” at times when patients and families needed it most.
The appeal has already attracted high-profile support, including from Andrew Flintoff, who urged the public to get behind the fundraising effort.
He said: “If everyone across Manchester donated just £2 this Christmas – less than a cup of coffee – we could hit the £1.1 million target to bring this amazing cinema to life and make this the best Christmas gift our city could give.”
Gandey’s will contribute to the campaign through fundraising at its productions, including audience collections at “Snowstorm on Ice”. The company has a long history of charitable support, and in 2024 its audiences helped raise more than £12,000 for good causes.
Donations to the MediCinema appeal can be made by texting CINEMA2 to 70580 to give £2, via the charity website, or in person at “Snowstorm on Ice” performances.
Gandey’s was founded by Robert Gandey (1894–1952), whose parents were also showmen. He followed them into the trade, training performing ponies from the age of nine. Bob Gandey settled in this area after his vehicle broke down at Arclid while on tour and he took a liking to the area while waiting three weeks for it to be repaired. The circus has a base at Brereton and offices in Congleton.
Gandey’s World Class Productions offers services from tent hire to artiste management and shows from the Chinese State Circus to Cirque Surreal.
