Cinema chain delays reopening

Cineworld has pushed back the date it plans to reopen its cinemas in Scotland following the easing of restrictions.

The cinema chain will now not welcome back its UK customers until 31July, despite the fact that Scottish Government guidelines allow it to do so on 15 July.

The delay in reopening has been caused by changes to planned film release dates, according to a statement on the company’s website.

New measures aimed at helping stop the spread of coronavirus will be introduced to cinemas including social distancing rules, seating capacity limits and contactless payments.

Mooky Greidinger, Cineworld chief executive, said: “Movie fans around the world continue to be excited by the strong slate of summer films ahead, including Tenet, Mulan, A Quiet Place Part II, Unhinged, The Broken Hearts Gallery, Bill & Ted Face The Music, Greenland and Antebellum, as well as a special re-release of Christopher

Nolan’s Inception on IMAX.

“Cineworld looks forward to welcoming these moviegoers back to our cinemas next month and believes that they will once again be immersed in the timeless theatrical experience they know and love.”

In April, Cineworld bosses deferred their pay packets for the past year after the company was forced to shut its entire portfolio of 787 cinemas.

Cineworld says the 31 July date is provisional depending on any changes to public health guidance in Scotland.

A spokesperson for the firm confirmed: “We hope that we will be able to reopen the doors of all Cineworld cinemas across the UK and Ireland at that time, subject to government restrictions.”

A staggering of film start times and more thorough cleaning measures are just some steps the company is taking to ensure the safeguarding of customers and workers alike.