Historic Leeds Cinema backs age rule change for ‘baby club’ screenings
Bosses at historic Hyde Park Picture House said they supported relaxed licensing restrictions for “cinema baby clubs”.
Last updated 15th May 2026
A popular cinema has backed a possible rule change to allow babies into screenings of some 15 and 18-rated films.
Bosses at historic Hyde Park Picture House said they supported relaxed licensing restrictions for “cinema baby clubs”.
Leeds City Council is considering whether to allow infants aged under 12 months into top-rated films deemed suitable for the family clubs.
British Board of Film Classification guidelines say parents can take babies into screenings of films rated up to 12a.
But councils have powers to set alternative classifications under the licensing act.
Supporters of the move said it would help those with young children socialise with other parents.
Hyde Park Picture House said scary and violent films would not be shown at its baby club.
Head of cinema Wendy Cook said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity of being able to engage a wider range of parents with a wider range of films, that will really spark them and engage and support them at a really critical point.”
Leeds City Council has commissioned health research firm Beacon House Therapeutic Services to provide a clinical opinion on the move.
The research will examine the impact on childhood development and sensory exposure to the films.
Evidence will be presented to the council’s Licensing Committee.
Sylvia Barber, young audiences officer at Hyde Park, said: “We’re not looking to show anything scary or violent.
“But I can understand there’s a fear, as soon as you hear of an 18 or 15, that’s where your mind goes to.
“We want to show films with more complex themes.”