Derry’s cinemas prepare to reopen

Omniplex have implemented a range of new measures to ensure a safe cinema trip when it reopens in Derry on July 24.

These include pre-booking tickets, to control the number of people in foyers and auditoriums and in seat cinema separation, which will allow people to it next to their friends, but be distanced from others.

There will be limited capacity in the Strand Road based cinema, as well as enhanced cleaning regimes and reduced showtimes.

Screen capacity will be reduced by over 50 per cent and only one movie will start every 20 minutes to facilitate social distancing and extra cleaning.

Paul John Anderson, Director of Omniplex Cinemas said, “We’re delighted to be finally re-opening our cinemas over the next few weeks with a selection of popular classic movies.

“Guests will notice some differences during their trip like checking in with a host on entry, directional signage and self-scanning of e-tickets. Also, for the first few weeks tickets will also only be sold online so we can limit the number of guests per show”.

Tickets can be booked online early next week.

Meanwhile, it is hoped the cinema at Brunswick Moviebowl will reopen within the next week.

Patrick Simpson told the ‘Journal’ that the announcement permitting cinema’s to reopen from today was a ‘bit of a shock’.

“We had been preparing to open at the end of the month, so it is a welcome change in the guidelines.”

While they have no official opening date as yet, Mr Simpson hopes to be in a position to reopen the cinema within the next week.

“There will be greatly reduced capacity, but we want customers to have confidence that it is a safe environment to come back to.

“We have been closed now for over four months and we were the first of this type of venue to shut. We can’t wait to welcome people back.”