The UK is gradually easing some of its coronavirus lockdown rules, with the latest changes allowing zoos and safari parks to reopen as well as people who live alone to meet one other household in a ‘support bubble’.
And there’s also new hope for those of us who have been missing the movies – because although cinemas are set to stay shut until at least July, drive-in cinemas are set to re-open to the public from 15 June.
All of which means you can enjoy a night at the flicks while adhering to social distancing measures from the comfort of your car.
But just where can you find one near to you – and do you need a car to visit?
Where can you find your nearest drive-in cinema?
Visit our live blog for the latest updates: Coronavirus news live
With drive-in cinemas currently springing up across the country, it’s worth keeping tabs on local websites and the like to see if one is heading your way.
However some have already announced their plans for socially distanced summer screenings, although most of them are not starting until July.
Drive-in organisers @TheDriveIn are taking their outdoor movies across the country, with screenings in south London,east London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh among others – and with films set to include Grease (original and singalong version), Toy Story, Joker, Back To The Future and A Star Is Born.
If you’re in London you could also check out Drive In theatres, which launches on 4 July at the Troubadour Meridian site in Enfield and promises a big programme of films including Dirty Dancing, Bad Boys For Life, 1917, It, Home Alone, Get Out, The Goonies, The Terminator and Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again among others.
Others hosting drive-ins include Luna Cinema, which will be taking the movies to venues including Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace and Knebworth House as well as Allianz Park in London – while Sunset Cinema has a range of screenings on offer in Twyford Park in Acton, West London.
In all cases, social distancing measures will be in place as well as other measures such as advance booking of tickets and food to ensure contact is kept to a minimum.
Can you go to the drive-in if you don’t have a car?
While it might be tricky to go to a drive-in movie without a car, other outdoor cinemas are set to launch this summer which will allow you to enjoy a socially distanced film experience without the need for a set of wheels.
They include the Free Range Film Club, which will be hosting outdoor screenings in open spaces across the capital this summer.
While exact locations are yet to be announced, organisers have revealed there will be venues in east, west, south and north London – and to ensure everyone is kept safe, capacity will be limited, spaces will be allocated and groups will be asked to keep apart from others.
For details on location and what films they’ll be showing, keep an eye on their website.
When will indoor cinemas reopen in the UK?
There’s no official date for when indoor cinemas will be reopening in the UK, but it’s likely to be no earlier than 4 July, as part of phase three of the lifting of lockdown restrictions.
Tim Richards, chief executive of the Vue Cinemas chain, has said they hope to have cinemas open again by mid-July, with suggestions that they’ll be open in time for the planned release of Christopher Nolan’s new blockbuster Tenet on 17 July.
He recently told Radio 4 the industry was working with the government to find ways of operating safely during the pandemic.
What we are trying to do is work with the government to demonstrate that we are not like sporting fixtures or music concerts,’ Mr Richards said.
‘We can actually control how many people go into our cinema at any given time. We have the ability to schedule our films separately and we have the ability to control entrances and exits for customers.’
‘We have operating systems in place today which allow social distancing and cocooning within the cinema for couples, individuals or families who want to watch a movie.’
MORE: Where did the two-metre rule come from and will it be relaxed?
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share your views in the comments below.
source https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/11/where-can-find-nearest-drive-cinema-need-car-visit-12836784/
0 Comments