Socially-distanced seating and staggered film times: Northampton Vue reveals reopening date

Vue in Northampton will be reopening with coronavirus precautions such as socially-distanced seating and staggered film times on Friday, August 21.

The Sol Central cinema, which has been shut since March, will be showing family favourites like Star Wars and Harry Potter as well as the hotly-anticipated blockbuster Tenet.

General manager Scott Norgate said: “We’re really pleased to be preparing to reopen our cinema once again and we look forward to welcoming film fans back soon.

“We’ve been working hard to ensure our site here in Northampton meets safety protocols in line with the latest government guidance.”

Vue's new safety measures include disinfecting every screen between each screening and hand sanitiser stations available throughout venues, while saff will be wearing PPE to protect themselves and customers.

Online booking is encouraged to make visits as contactless as possible - tickets can be accessed on smartphones and will be scanned before entering the screen - and seats will be automatically spaced apart when booking.

All safety measures will also be clearly signposted at the entrances and throughout the building, and will be in line with government and public health guidance.

Customers will be required to wear a face covering during their visit, although this can be removed to consume food and drink, must agree to the test and trace initiative.

Vue’s team will also have two days of extensive training ahead of reopening while the established safety team will be ready to welcome customers back in, explain the new procedures and answer any questions.

Scott added: “We want film-lovers in Northampton and surrounding areas to know that the quality of our viewing experience remains unchanged and customers will continue to enjoy the best audio and picture quality in big screen entertainment, especially with the upcoming release of hotly anticipated titles such as Tenet.

"We hope film-fans are excited as us at the return of the big screen where films like this are supposed to be seen.”

Tickets are on sale now for Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s latest sci-fi action spectacle starring John David Washington, arriving on the big screen at all Vue sites on Wednesday, August 26.

While those interested in classic films like La La Land, Nolan's catalogue of movies and more will soon be able to book as well, according to Vue.

For more information, visit myvue.com.