Cinemas to start slowly claims boss

THE return of movie fans to watching the big screen is likely to be slow and cautious, a cinema owner said yesterday.

Cinemas in Northern Ireland have been given an indicative opening date of July 29 by the Executive.

Michael Mcadam, owner of the Movie House chain, said a “gentle recovery would be perfect” as customers prepare to return.

He added: “It’s going to be a slow start, people aren’t going to be running out straight away, they are going to be cautious and we are going to be cautious ourselves in getting our staff trained up, so it is going to take us a while.”

Mr Mcadam described how employees at his cinemas at Cityside in north Belfast, Glengormley, Maghera and Coleraine have ensured they are ready to accommodate social distancing rules.

This includes screens at the ticket and snack counters, temperature gauges as well as staggering start and finishing times for films to avoid a crowded foyer, a one-way system, allocated seating with extra spacing and additional cleaning.

He told how public confidence is key and face coverings will be optional for employees.

Mr Mcadam said: “If our staff want to wear masks, they can, we have the visors for them too if they wish, too, but when it comes to the public we are not in a position to make customers do that.

He told how the supply of the latest films from the US has also been impacted by the pandemic, adding: “Because they can’t get America open, it is affecting the American releases.”