A YOUNG entrepreneur who stepped into the world of business at the age of 22 has brought a new cinema experience to the Lake District.
Alex Chesters is the founder of The Outdoor Picture Palace which exists to bring outdoor cinema events to the Lake District and Lancashire.
BUSINESS: Entrepreneur Alex Chesters founded The Outdoor Picture Palace
Launching his business after a year of planning, Alex used his experience from his education and the skills he had picked up attending The Prince's Trust's Enterprise Programme.
The cinema is putting on outdoor viewing experiences in the Lakes, as well as Lancashire.
After completing his time at the Prince's Trust, Alex worked for over a year planning and liaising with venues and local brands throughout the region to align all the elements required for the amazing outdoor cinema events.
Alex said: "I've always wanted to do my own events.
"But I always wanted to try and create something a bit different and unique. Make each event unique and more than just a cinema experience.
"I was born in Lancaster and went to school in Dallam.
OUTDOORS: Alex has set up a successful outdoor cinema which will be returning soon (Copy of Copy of Untitled)
"I was thinking of what I could put together that could make the events cool and memorable.
"It was the first week in July we started after about a year of setting it up.
"When Covid first hit I had a lot of time to plan things and contact different venues so that I could start putting on events in the Lake District.
"An outdoor cinema seemed like a cool new thing in of itself.
"It was about taking two things, great films, local food venues and putting them together.
"It means you get more from your cinema experience.
"We even start with some short films before our main show.
OUTDOORS: Alex has set up a successful outdoor cinema which will be returning soon (Copy of Copy of Untitled)
"I did my GCSE and A-levels in business but it was the Printers Trust that gave me that level of knowledge I needed to put this together.
"They teach you everything from marketing, start-ups, limited business and making it on your own.
"My first event was in Windermere and it proved to be so popular I couldn’t wait to bring it back.
"It was a wet weekend last time but that was still really popular. The feedback I've had so far has been amazing.
"If you want to make it in business don't let age stop you."
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