In Loving Memory of

SHOWCASE CINEMA GALA sam hull-201

Mark Barlow

Memories of Mark Barlow 

Mark worked for Natl Amusements UK Ltd for 33 years,  well liked and respected amongst his peers, and the wider industry.  All that have met Mark will be able to recall some moment with him that would make you smile, he certainly had a sense of humour.   

We would like to remember these happy moments and memories, and as such invite you to leave your stories and ‘appropriate’ photos, that we can share with Mark’s family.

Thank you 

 

Book Owner: Clare Doolan
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Alistair

Inevitably over the course of 25 years there are many work-related situations / conversations that pop into my thoughts.   It is though, a couple of non-work-related topics (that we always found time to talk about) that create a smile.   Family and wine.   Enough said.   AL. …

Mike Stanley

I have learnt in business that no one is indispensable, but there is definitely a Mark-shaped hole at Showcase, and there always will be. You knew where you stood with Mark – he was fair, and he always had your back. No matter how busy he was, he would make time for me when i was troubled with an issue, and i would leave his office feeling better for talking through my dilemma with him. Mark also supported me in personal matters at key times in my life, and i will be forever grateful for that. There is a saying that you spend more time with your colleagues than with your own family, and the sadness felt at Mark’s early exit certainly goes beyond work. Taken too soon, but always remembered, my thoughts and best wishes go to Marie and all the family. Mike …

Paula Redshaw

Throughout my career there have been many bosses but Mark will always be the most memorable for so many reasons.  He was a huge character and lived his life to the full through his passion for Showcase and his family life.  I loved our catchups, particulary hearing what he’d be up to over the weekend and holidays with Marie and the boys.  We’d share ideas of places to holiday, recipes to cook, cycle routes to take and home DIY albeit Mark was clearly far more knowledgeable and capable on that front!  Mark was not just a boss he was a very special friend too and I will always remember him with the fondest of memories.   …

Jason Pilkington

I first met Mark in Showcase Leeds around 30 years ago my first impression was a man on top of his game immaculately dressed looking the true professional which of course he was. Mark was always straight to the point and very direct when negotiating or discussing service levels but through the years Mark and I became great friends and would spend many a coffee putting the world right if only the world would listen it would be a far greater place. Mark was always a friend and a shoulder to cry on if I needed one and sometimes I did. Mark was the guy who would text you on a Sunday night just to see if you was ok and if he could do anything to help me or my family. Marks family became part of my family too and we would enjoy time together Mark would love to share his sons football stories and tell of how proud he was of the boys and how much Marie was the love of his life and how happy he was with new house and the adventures they all had in front of them. I think about Mark everyday and …

Daniel Barrett

Posting this message took much longer than I had orignally thought, Mark had been a daily presence in my life for approaching 26 years which of course spanned many mile stones in my life all of which was shared and witnessed by Mark who never failed to know just the right thing to say at the right time. Our relationship so much deeper than the Boss and employee, a friendship which was formed in the work environment but we shared such rich and life changing experiences. Mark without fail had the ability to make you smile, my world and my role rarely bought Mark good news, this has happened, that will cost, so and so has done this, we always worked through the problem of the day with some choice words that always left you with a cheeky smile and sense you would figure everything out, and we always did. When I left college in 1998 I had already worked for the company for close too two years, eager and ambitious I wanted the next step, and one of what would turn into many carpark chats over the years Mark said to me, go to univeristy, get the edcution …

Laura Heinz

People come and go in your life, with only few making an impact. Mark is definitely the one, who had an impact on mine… When I was sitting in my car just few minutes before my interview at Showcase, I doubted myself thinking that I don’t have enough experience and that I lack the industry knowledge, hence I wouldn’t get the job. When I have heard from Mark that he likes my confidence, I was shocked. Considering the attitude that I entered the building with and the fact that in December 2021, when I have done my personal development plan, I was told that I need to work on my confidence… That one sentence from Mark, a call few hours later with the job offer was like a coronation of the change that I was going through. From our first conversation after I joined Showcase, I also know that the sentence I told at the interview, after which he replied that he likes my confidence, was the one that got me the job… He couldn’t remember what I said (I can), but told me that it was so direct that he knew, he want me in that role. I …

Jeff Barton: Managing Director of G F Holding

Extract out of my note to Daniel Barret on hearing of the sad passing of an amazing fellow………’We had the pleasure of knowing Mark since 2007 and considered him, more importantly than being a Client, but as a friend of the firm……….’ Mark had a cheeky way of getting his own way. We would offer a tight delivery programme for the many cinema refurbishment projects that we have delivered with the Showcase Team, but if Mark saw an opportunity to open a screen earlier to show that special film, he would go for it. The chuckle would come first, then the slight raise of one side of his mouth and you then knew what was coming…….and when he really wanted the impossible, his voice would go up an octave or two. We fell for it every time ……….the expression that we often use is that ‘you cant do enough for a good client’, and that’s how we will remember Mark  …….and now we have the apprentice coming through. To quote Daniel Barret ‘Mark was a superb teacher and taught me everthing that I know about Cinemas’ ……..so when the chuckle comes from Daniel, followed by the slight raise of …

Richard Leonard

What more is there to say other than I will miss you deeply my friend ? Thirty three years of friendship and laughter , you made my world a better place  …

Clare Doolan

To Mark – or as I referred to you as ‘The Boss’, and what a Boss you have been.  If we needed to get it done, then we made it happen, as long as your industrial size coffee cup was constantly topped up, everything was alright.  There was never any moment when we haven’t been happy to see you in the office.   You have always been supportive, and never missed asking the important questions about my family, and most importantly are you happy!  Of course the answer was always yes, I would ask you the same, you’d give me a grumpy face and mumble some choice words, we’d have a laugh about it and get on with the day.  You always had a way of making us feel confident, and that we can get it done, even if we did mess up, it was dealt with and moved on. More recently over the last few years we spent alot of time together, trying to navigate the new world order we found ourselves in, every challenge was met head on, and at times when it felt to much, somehow it was still ok, I will always cherish that time, it …

Duncan Short

I have known Mark for thirty three years,all since he started with Showcase cinemas. He often reminded me when we first met,and we laughed that I didnt recall,because let’s face it,how do you not remember Mark. We have worked together through so many experiences,and though some were challenging, all I would like to think,strengthened our relationship. Mark could be exasperating but then who cant,and I’m certain he had many choice words to use about me,but tomorrow was another day and we moved on. We spent many hours travelling together where we shared not only our liking for Marks and Spencer pork pies for lunch, but memories of old cars from the 70s ,deep cultural discussions about the differences between Lancastrians and Yorkshire folk,and conversations about the world in general. I know Mark projected a grumpy side,and he generally set the bar low so as to hopefully be amazed by service from retailers and other service providers, which was always amusing to listen to how the level was rarely  achieved ,but if he was talking about Josh or Oscar he always lit up ,he was just proud, always!  I recall when he told me he was going to get married.Mark …