Reopened Blackwood cinema welcomes more than 160 customers on first day

Blackwood’s Maxime Cinema welcomed more than 160 visitors on its first day back as it opened its doors for the first time since March.

The cinema reopened on Monday (August 3), with social distancing measures in place.

Customers had their temperatures checked upon entering and were provided with hand sanitiser, while all payments at the cinema have switched to cashless.

Indoor cinemas have been allowed to reopen to the public since July 27, but the sale of food and drink wasn’t allowed until Monday.

Unlike the big chains, the independently-owned Maxime only charges £3.50 admission and relies on revenue from food and drink sales.

Steven Reynolds MBE, director of owners Picturedrome, said the number of customers on the first day back was “below what we normally do” but said the signs were “very encouraging”.

Mr Reynolds, who was made an MBE for services to the UK cinema industry in 2018, said: “People were very pleased and amicable about the changes we’ve introduced.

“If there’s a party of two or of four, the seats around them are cut off, so the four seats to the side of them and in front and behind them are empty.

“We’re at a reduced capacity of 150.”

He added: “People felt safe. There were no issues at all.”

The cinema is currently showing 100% Wolf, Dreambuilders, The Fairy Princess and the Unicorn, Trolls World Tour, Unhinged, The Vigil, Summerland and Black Water: Abyss.

The cinema is also showing the 1980 classic Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.

Action thriller Tenet, directed by Christopher Nolan, will be shown at the cinema from August 26.

Mr Reynolds said: “Our job is to make people feel safe. As long as we do that, the audiences will increase.

“We’re very encouraged by the public’s attitude. People are very happy with the new arrangements and appreciate it. We’re doing it for their safety.”

Blackwood’s independent councillor Nigel Dix said: “It’s really good to see our cinema back open. The staff have worked hard to ensure that everyone is safe.”