Showcase cinemas in pledge to remain open
Bosses at Showcase today said they were committed to keeping cinemas across the region open.
It comes as rival Cineworld is temporarily closing its sites in the UK including in Wolverhampton, Telford and Shrewsbury due to a fall off in attendances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mark Barlow, UK general manager for Showcase Cinemas, which has branches at Castlegate Way, Dudley, and Bentley Mill Way, Walsall,said: “We were delighted to start reopening our cinemas back in July, and are committed to keeping them open.
“We are truly passionate about offering guests the best environment to watch a film – in the cinema.
"We have introduced a number of new safety measures as part of our Be Showcase Safe programme, from socially distanced seating and staggered film times to sanitising stations throughout and every seat being sprayed after every show with a non-chemical anti-viral spray – all to help keep our guests and employees as safe as possible.”
The cinemas reopened earlier than Cineworld after the lockdown was lifted, encouraging customers in by showing classic films like Back to the Future and Jaws for £5 a ticket.
New releases like Tenet have also brought people back, but cinemas received a blow when it was announced the new James Bond film No Time to Die would now not be released until next year.
The decision led to the temporary closure this week of Cineworld cinemas, but Showcase says it is determined to remain open.
Mr Barlow added: “Having served local communities for over 30 years in the UK, we know how much the cinema experience means to families, friends and film lovers.
“Whether it’s a thriller that puts you on the edge of your seat, or a comedy that has you in fits of laughter, seeing a film on the big screen is an immersive experience like no other.”
