CINEWORLD in St Helens is reopening on Wednesday, May 19 as the coronavirus lockdown eases, it has been confirmed.

It has been more than seven months since the cinema, on Chalon Way, has welcomed visitors.

The Cineworld chain had announced it was to temporarily close all of its venues in October 2020 for an indefinite period as the pandemic devastated the film industry.

Cinemas are able to reopen from next week under the government roadmap for easing restrictions.

Cineworld has confirmed its venues are reopening from Wednesday.

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A Cineworld spokesperson said: “We are excited to announce that our cinemas in England will re-open on May 19. We will announce the re-opening of our remaining cinemas in due course.”

Here is a look at films available on the opening day at Cineworld St Helens:

Godzilla vs Kong

The two monster icons are pitted against each other.

Judas and the Black Messiah

Offered a plea deal by the FBI, William O'Neal infiltrates the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party to gather intelligence on Chairman Fred Hampton.

Mortal Kombat

Based on the video game series, MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld.

My New York Year

A college grad takes a clerical job working for the literary agent of the renowned, reclusive writer J.D. Salinger.

Spiral From The Book Of Saw

The Unholy

Those Who Wish Me Dead

Tom and Jerry The Movie

The classic cat and mouse animated duo are back with Chloë Grace Moretz leading the cast.

Covid measures:

  • Updated seating maps. The booking system has been updated to allow friends and family to sit together while ensuring a safe distance between customers from separate groups
  • Face coverings must be worn in the cinema but can be removed when eating and drinking.
  • Social distancing measures have been implemented.
  • All toilets will be stocked with anti-bacterial hand soap, and stringent handwashing guidelines will be in place for all employees.
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be provided.
  • Enhanced cleaning programme particularly for all touch points.
  • E-ticketing – customers are encouraged to book in advance on the Cineworld website or app to avoid unnecessary contact. Confirmation emails can be used as tickets, and e-tickets are available on the app.
  • Film start and end times will be staggered to reduce customers crossing paths with other customers going in or out of other screens and build-up of crowds in the foyer. Additional cleaning time has been added between films.
  • Plastic screens at the tills
  • Contactless payments encouraged up to a value of £45. Most ticket machines accept contactless payment too.
  • Covid-19 training for all staff and PPE provided to employees 'where the risk assessment has deemed it necessary in line with government requirements'.
  • Coronavirus contact tracing

Recent research from Metrix Lab suggests strong pent up demand for cinema in the UK,

In the company's research, 59 per cent of people surveyed said cinema is one of the activities they miss the most, while 48 per cent anticipate spending more money on cinema in 2021.