ODEON, WESTBROOK

ODEON Luxe in Westbrook will be relaunching on Monday.

The cinema chain says it will be unlocking its doors at the vast majority of its sites – including Warrington – on the first day that leisure venues can legally reopen as part of the government's roadmap.

Carol Welch, managing director of Odeon Cinemas Group UK and Ireland, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming guests back to experience the joy of the big screen at Odeon on May 17.

Odeon luxe at westbrook.

Odeon luxe at westbrook.

"We've all missed the magic that the cinema brings to movie watching, and we know our guests are excited about coming back. We are sure they will enjoy the great new offers that make their movie experiences better than ever.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all our Odeon team members for their amazing energy and commitment over the last 12 months which has allowed us to get back to what we do best – welcoming guests back to experience movies in the best possible way.”

FILMS ON OPENING DAY

Peter Rabbit 2

With Peter Rabbit having made peace with Mr McGregor and Bea it looked like the mischievous bunny and his mates would live happily ever after. However, when Peter finds it impossible to shake his reputation as a troublemaker he runs away to have new adventures.

Family favourite Peter Rabbit 2 will be one of the three big brand new films to welcome guests backj at the Regent Centre

Family favourite Peter Rabbit 2 is one of the big new films for the relaunch of cinemas

Those Who Wish Me Dead

Starring Angelina Jolie and Nicholas Hoult, a teenage murder witness finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him – and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Sound Of Metal

A heavy metal drummer's life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing.

Nomadland

Winner of four Golden Globes, a woman in her 60s, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.

Minari

A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas.

The Unholy

A hearing-impaired girl is visited by the Virgin Mary and can suddenly hear, speak, and heal the sick. As people flock to witness her miracles, terrifying events unfold. Are they the work of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister?

REOPENING OFFERS

To welcome visitors back, until September 30 you can get a Limitless membership from £9.99 per month. It is usually £17.99 a month and allows you to watch as many films as you want.

Odeon luxe at westbrook.

Odeon luxe at westbrook.

COVID MEASURES

  • A new app and website that makes the ticket booking process easier and safer.
  • A limit on the number of seats for sale for each film – guaranteeing unoccupied seats between parties to meet social distancing requirements.
  • Show start times will be staggered to reduce queues and there will be safe queuing measures with floor markings and a cinema host.
  • Pre-packaged food and drinks.
  • All payments are now contactless with cash no longer accepted.
  • Enhanced cleaning throughout with extra controls in all toilet facilities.
  • Stations offering sanitising gels and wipes and all staff trained on new hygiene measures.
  • Staff will be equipped with personal protective equipment including face coverings and gloves.
  • Face covering must be worn in cinemas – but can be removed during the screening to enjoy food and drinks

CINEWORLD

Cineworld Warrington

Cineworld Warrington

Meanwhile, Cineworld in Time Square is reopening on Wednesday, May 19.

It hopefully marks the start of a new chapter for the 13-screen cinema as it opened on December 11, 2019, just months before the Covid-19 era made its stark impact on box office figures.

Cineworld announced it was to temporarily close all of its venues in October 2020 and so next week's relaunch cannot come soon enough for all staff and film lovers.

A Cineworld spokesperson said: “We are excited to announce that our cinemas in England will re-open on May 19. We will announce the re-opening of our remaining cinemas in due course.”

READ MORE > Why it is important that Cineworld Time Square reopens

FILMS ON OPENING DAY

Peter Rabbit 2

Those Who Wish Me Dead

Tom and Jerry

The classic cat and mouse animated duo are back with Chloë Grace Moretz leading the cast.

Maya the Bee 3

Children's adventure. When Maya, a headstrong little bee, and her best friend Willi, rescue an ant princess they find themselves in the middle of an epic bug battle.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

Cineworld Warrington

Cineworld Warrington

The Unholy

Godzilla vs Kong

The two monster icons are pitted against each other.

My New York Year

A college grad takes a clerical job working for the literary agent of the renowned, reclusive writer J.D. Salinger.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

A chilling story that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and marked the first time in US history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defence.

Mortal Kombat

Based on the video game series, MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld.

Cineworld Warrington

Cineworld Warrington

COVID MEASURES

  • Updated seating maps. The booking system has been updated to allow friends and family to sit together while ensuring a safe distance between customers from separate groups
  • Face coverings must be worn in the cinema but can be removed when eating and drinking.
  • Social distancing measures have been implemented.
  • All toilets will be stocked with anti-bacterial hand soap, and stringent handwashing guidelines will be in place for all employees.
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be provided.
  • Enhanced cleaning programme particularly for all touch points.
  • E-ticketing – customers are encouraged to book in advance on the Cineworld website or app to avoid unnecessary contact. Confirmation emails can be used as tickets, and e-tickets are available on the app.
  • 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.
  • Plastic screens at the tills
  • Contactless payments encouraged up to a value of £45. Most ticket machines accept contactless payment too.
  • Covid-19 training for all staff and PPE provided to employees 'where the risk assessment has deemed it necessary in line with government requirements'.
  • Coronavirus contact tracing

Recent research from Metrix Lab suggests strong pent up demand for cinema in the UK,

In the company's research, 59 per cent of people surveyed said cinema is one of the activities they miss the most, while 48 per cent anticipate spending more money on cinema in 2021.