Case Study: The Fraser Centre
The Fraser Centre - Tranent, East Lothian
The Fraser Centre was the First Cinema in the World to Install WatchWord.
The Fraser Centre, located in Tranent, East Lothian, serves as a vibrant community hub, offering a cinema, café, and a range of facilities. This fully accessible venue hosts a regular programme of films, live entertainment, activities, and workshops. It also features rooms for hire, a conference space, and a café accommodating up to 40 people. The centre includes two intimate cinemas, one with 116 seats and the other with 50, with films shown from Wednesday to Sunday.
In June 2024, the Fraser Centre became the first venue in the UK to introduce WatchWord smart glasses, providing enhanced accessibility for people with hearing difficulties to enjoy the cinema experience.
At the time, David Orr, the CEO said,
“We are very proud to be the first permanent cinema in the UK to introduce this new technology, improving cinema access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. We aim to be as accessible as possible, and I am delighted that we are able to support our audience with this new innovative technology. The Smart glasses will allow visitors to have increased film choice and no longer have to rely upon specific captioned screenings being shown.
The introduction of the glasses was made possible with funding from Tyne & Esk Rural Communities Development Fund. Co-Chair of the fund Anne Hastie said:
“Tyne & Esk Rural Communities Development Fund are delighted that our funding has enabled the Fraser Centre to improve their adaptability to meet the needs of the diverse range of people who use the Centre. Increasing accessibility to films and events for people with hearing impairments will reduce isolation and improve well being through connecting with others” .
Kara Lindsay, Front of House Supervisor at The Fraser Centre Community Trust, explained the process behind booking the glasses,
“The glasses will be free to book alongside your cinema ticket in advance using our online ticketing or in person at our box office. We have held test events to trial the glasses and the reaction from people has been fantastic, we are very excited to have them available”.
WatchWord glasses and controller
The Reaction
Since the introduction of WatchWord, the glasses have been used regularly. The Fraser Centre has actively promoted the service and attracted a new audience to the venue, resulting in a steady increase in usage. In December 2024, the glasses were used on seven occasions, receiving highly positive feedback.
“My grandson has partial hearing, and he used the smart glasses to watch The Wild Robot. He thought they were fantastic, and they really enhanced his enjoyment of the film. We are coming back to watch Paddington in Peru, and he is very much looking forward to using them again.”
"These are life changing"
"As CEO of The Fraser Centre community Trust, ensuring our audience has the best access we can provide is very important to us. The built for Good Watchword glasses have provided increased opportunities for people to attend our films and the feedback has been exceptional with people describing them as 'life changing'. We have seen first hand the impact it has on individuals and families who have now been able to enjoy a greater choice of films than ever before at The Fraser Centre. I would recommend these glasses to anyone looking to provide greater access to their audience".
January 2024
