Cinema lifts the curtain on its reopening plans for multiplex
Cinema-goers are set to be back popping popcorn and indulging in flicks after Cineworld announced it will be reopening its Boldon and Dalton Park multiplex venues later in May.
The cinemas have been closed since October 2020, when Cineworld make the decision to close all its venues as the pandemic worsened.
Now, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed cinemas will be among indoor venues allowed to reopen on Mondy, the chain is pressing ahead with plans to reopen within days of the official date.
A Cineworld spokesman said: “We are excited to announce that our cinemas in England will re-open on May 19! We will announce the reopening of our remaining cinemas in due course.
“At Cineworld our main priority remains the safety of our customers and employees. We of course follow all instructions and regulations of the local authorities and current government guidelines and regulations.”
There will, however, be covid restrictions in place as customers return to the cinemas.
Face coverings must be worn, but can be removed when eating and drinking.
Social-distancingmeasures will be in place, inline with guidelines set out by councils.
Film start and end times will be staggered to reduce customers crossing paths with other customers going in or out of other screens and build-up of crowds in the foyer. Additional cleaning time has been added between films.
Cineworld says its booking system has been updated to allow you to sit next to your friends and family in its cinema screens while ensuring a safe distance between customers from separate groups.
The company said this varies depending on the capacity and layout of each screen, and is subject to Government restrictions.
Customers will be encouraged book tickets in advance online or via the Cineworld app, available via iOS and Android.
Confirmation email scan be used as tickets, and e-tickets are available on the app.
Cineworld’s tills accept contactless card payments up to a value of £45/€50 and Apple Pay/Google Pay mobile payments with no limit in cinemas.
The company said ticket machines in most of its cinemas also accept contactless payments and it is working on upgrading the rest.