Here is how the Savoy cinema in Grantham is going to keep customers safe
The Savoy cinema reopens in Grantham tomorrow evening (Tuesday) with strict procedures in place to ensure the site remains Coronavirus-free.
The cinema closed in March due to the lockdown. While many cinemas decided to roepen weeks ago, Savoy decided it would open its cinemas in time for the showing of the long-awaited blockbuster Tenet which it is hoped will help revive cinemas' fortunes.
The cinema opens tomorrow with a one-off screening of an encore of 42nd Street. Most screenings for the rest of the week will be of Christopher Nolan's blockbuster Tenet.
The Savoy has in place a long list of precautionary measures to keep its staff and customers safe during the pandemic.
This includes social distancing which will be kept throughout the cinema with rows and seats kept empty to maintain distancing. People will be asked to enter through one door of the screen and leave through the fire exit.
Customers are also asked to wear face coverings at all times in the cinema except when they are eating and drinking while watching a film.
Perspex screens have been installed at the counters with separate queuing for each counter rather than one queue. There are hand sanitiser stations throughout the cinema for staff and customers.
The cinema is advising customers to book tickets in advance via the website. The booking confirmation will include a QR code which can be presented at the ticket check point. If advance booking is not possible, the Savoy is encouraging contactless payment.
Savoy managing director James Collington told the Journal: "We are opening on the back of Tenet. There has been nothing new for us to show since July 4 when cinemas were allowed to open. Only 70 cinemas in the whole country did open."
Mr Collington added: "We could not have asked for more support from the government. Most costs have been reduced but furloughing is coming to an end, there will be staffing costs and utility costs so we need films to perform for us."
Film times will be more staggered than normal so fewer people will be in the foyer at any one time. Tenet is being shown in four screens and on a more regular basis than normal for a film so that more people can be accommodated while social distancing.
Mr Collington said Savoy had accepted the closure of its cinemas during lockdown and had taken advantage of it to complete work behind the scenes.
While the Grantham cinema has been shut, hand rails have been installed in all the screens to help the elderly and disabled to climb the stairs and get to their seats.
On a visit to the cinema last week, the chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Councillor Jacky Smith, said she felt the hand rails were a good idea. She said: "I think it will be a big benefit for older people now that they can grab hold of something. I think it will help those with sight problems and other difficulties."
