The Return of Cinema

The UK's largest cinema chain Cineworld will reopen on July 10th in England and Northern Ireland

UK cinemas closed in late March due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, however they are now making a comeback. Leading UK Cinema chains Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and showcase are aiming to have their theatres fully reopened by early July in England and Northern Ireland and late July in Scotland and Wales.

In order to make sure cinemas are “COVID secure” new protocols such as social distancing rules, contactless payment, plexiglass screens and sanitation stations will come into play around buildings. The chains have also announced that guests will have to sit at least 6 feet apart from each other at showings in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Robert Pattinson and John David Washington star in "Tenet"

In a bid to lure people into returning to cinemas UK chains will show classic films at discounted prices before ushering in new films such as Disney’s live action remake of “Mulan” and Christopher Nolan’s new sci-fi epic “Tenet.”

Avid Film fan Roderick Ross is desperate to return to the theatre, he said “when the cinemas reopen I’ll definitely be going right away, I think it was easy enough to social distance in the first place, very rarely do you go and it’s a packed screen. I think that If you block off certain seats you can social distance safely and be confident that you are safe.”

The reopening comes after an initial reopening of non-essential shops in England and Northern Ireland proved successful this week. Scotland is expected to move into phase 2 of its lockdown exit plan from tomorrow and Wales will follow suit.

Some of this year’s biggest blockbusters have delayed release to later this year; The new “James Bond: No time to Die”, “Wonder Woman 1984”, “A Quiet Place 2” and Marvel’s “Black Widow” will all now be released in the Autumn.

check out audience reactions to the reopening of cinemas below!