Cinema plan to help town centre
A FREE, socially distanced cinema has been installed to transform a town centre.
Blyth Market Place will play host to a free programme of blockbuster movies, family favourites and musicals, including Toy Story 4, Mamma Mia!, and Beauty and the Beast.
The four-week programme started last week, with free tickets available online. Films will be shown at 12pm and 3pm, Wednesday to Saturday.
Northumberland County Council said screenings will be safe and Covid19 secure. Bookings must be made in advance, with contact details provided for track and trace requirements.
A maximum of six tickets will be able to be booked to be seated together in a socially distanced pod for up to six people who must be from one household or one social bubble. The cinema space will hold a maximum of 60 people to ensure safe social distancing.
A number of local retailers will also be offering deals for movie-goers, with the cinema event aiming to offer a boost to the town centre.
Warren Taylor, Blyth town councillor and Mayor, said: “This is a real first for Blyth and it’s fantastic to partner with everyone through the Blyth Town
Forum and do something positive in the town centre. Covid has been a big blow to the town.
“Our usual events programme could not go ahead earlier this year, so it’s lovely to be able to put on amazing events like these after such a difficult time. I hope the community will get behind the event and come to the town centre over the summer. We have held some fantastic events in Blyth and this is another opportunity to showcase our town.”
Northumberland County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and chair of Advance Northumberland, Richard Wearmouth, added: “We have huge plans to transform the town centre over the next few years through the Energising Blyth Regeneration Programme.
“This includes proposals for new culture facilities on the Market Place and this is a great way to test out new reasons for people to visit and enjoy spending time in the town. We’ve worked closely with public health authorities to ensure that all measures are in place to make this a safe, welcoming and enjoyable event as we must continue to be careful given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.”
Tickets can be booked online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/northumberland-county-council/blythmovies-in-the-market-place/e-rjbbgv