Call for date for NI cinemas to reopen

One of Northern Ireland’s leading local cinema companies is making an urgent call on Stormont to give local movie theatres a date to reopen.

The call comes after the Republic of Ireland moved their opening date to June 29 and English cinemas are allowed to reopen from July 4.

Movie House Cinemas, which has venues in Belfast, Glengormley, Maghera and Coleraine, said the lack of a date is creating major uncertainty for cinema owners right across Northern Ireland.

“We have been planning for the future and putting in place safety measures over the past months so that we can be ready to reopen as soon as the Government gives the go ahead.  However, without a date we are still in limbo,” said Movie House Managing Director Michael McAdam.

The cinema company already has a new socially distanced seating plan for every screen and has made adjustments in its ventilation systems to allow for increased fresh air. It also has bought specialist cleaning equipment, social distancing signage and installed Perspex screens.

However, there are many things it can’t do until a date is given. This includes bringing in staff to start new health and safety training, ordering in food products and preparing projectors to operate once more.

“We appreciate the Executive has a difficult job to do but I feel that we should be in line with our counterparts in the Republic and England. Cinemas right across Northern Ireland have been working hard to ensure the safety of their customers and staff and we are ready to open. All we need is for our Government to give us a date,” Mr McAdam added.

Movie House Cinemas has developed their booking software so that when a customer buys tickets online, the system will automatically remove seats surrounding each group. This means families or friends can sit together but others won’t be directly next to them.

Customers will then be able to either show their phone at the cinema or print their tickets at home, limiting contact with staff.

Additional safety procedures include: temperature checks at the entrance, reduced capacity in each screen, more show times to spread audiences throughout the day, frequent cleaning of movie theater seats and all areas of the cinema, staff training in the new safety procedures, and food products served in a closed packaging, staff training in the new safety procedures and food products served in closed packaging.

“We are taking the health and safety of our staff and customers very seriously. We are keen to welcome them back to enjoy the unique experience of cinema again,” Mr McAdam said.