'Really excited' families rejoice as cinemas finally reopen

With half term around the corner, the reopening of the pictures is offering parents another option to keep their children occupied.

There was some uncertainty about just how willing people would be to return to cinemas because of Covid concerns, although they continue to have strict safety measures in place.

As big-screen releases were cancelled through the pandemic, films also went to at-home screening platforms like Amazon and Netflix, leading to concerns people might just get out of the habit of travelling to their local multiplex.

But, since restrictions in England were eased on May 17, numbers at cinemas have been encouraging, helped somewhat by the inclement British weather.

Families and friends met up at Showcase Cinema at Castlegate, opposite Dudley Zoo, to make the most of it reopening, which came this week.

Marc Lawrence, who is a factory worker, his partner Abigail Taylor and daughter, two-year-old Kiarah Taylor, were some of the first to arrive for an afternoon showing of Peter Rabbit 2, the children's film that is helping to drive the successful return of cinema.

Marc said: "I have worked throughout the pandemic, but it is really great to be back out with the family.

"Just to be out of the house and not at work and do something all together is exciting."

Mum Abigail, added: "We have managed to get out for a carvery last week but this is the first time that we have been out to somewhere like the cinema since they reopened.

"It's nice to be able to take Kiarah out somewhere too, as before it would just be us taking her to nursery and bringing her home.

"Keeping her occupied through lockdown was tough at times, but we are going to make the most of our day out today and we might even pop into McDonald's afterwards."

Among the latest showings at the multiplex were family favourite Peter Rabbit 2, Godzilla vs Kong and Raya & The Last Dragon.

Jessica Parker, 29 a nurse at Birmingham Children's Hospital, was joined by young Isaac Peart, aged four, and her sister Millie Parker aged 24, all from Himley.

The family were also excited to see the animated animal blockbuster sequel and could not wait to take their seats in front of the big screen.

Speaking about the visit, Jessica said: "This is one of the first things that we have been able to do together as a family since the restrictions changed.

"It is lovely to do something other than just go into work, as I have worked throughout the whole pandemic at the hospital.

"We are going to see Peter Rabbit 2 and Isaac is very excited, it is actually his first ever time at the cinema, for him getting to go out again has been great."

Emma and Craig Lewis, from Dudley, were also visiting the popular cinema.

Craig, an office worker, said: "We are really excited to be about again. We have managed to go to a couple of cafes, but this is our first visit to the cinema this year.

"It's great to do something and for us to escape from the house for a while."

As well as families, friends have been able to meet up indoors once again, some for the first time in almost 12 months.

Amanda Smith, aged 65 from Wall Heath, added: "Me and my friend used to come to the cinema each week to see something different.

"But because of lockdown, we haven't been able to since last July at least, but today we are able to meet up here again and it is so nice to do the things that we used to once more."

Showcase's rival Cineworld says it has enjoyed a very encouraging first couple of weeks following the reopening of indoor entertainment.

The chain said more people than expected returned as lockdown eased and it now anticipates "a good recovery in attendance over the coming months". It also saw "good concession income" as families snapped up popcorn to accompany their viewing.

The UK-owned chain has seen huge losses due to closures during the pandemic. In November the business, which owns cinemas across Europe and the US, was even in talks over a rescue deal that would have meant shutting UK sites.

It said it was "thrilled" to have its UK and and US cinemas open again.

"We are especially pleased with the warm welcome our employees have received, and the positive feedback from returning guests," said chief executive Mooky Greidinger.

The world's second-largest cinema chain said more than 97 per cent of its US cinemas had now reopened, while most of its screens in the rest of the world were expected to be open by the end of the month.

The chain hopes that crowds will keep coming with the releases next week of Cruella, and A Quiet Place 2 next weekend. It said its success was down to "improving consumer confidence and the success of the vaccination rollout".

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: "Cinema operators have been waiting for this moment for a long time, keeping their fingers crossed that consumers would feel confident enough to return to the big screen.

But he pointed out the "strong weekend" came as atrocious weather hit many parts of the UK. "What happens if we finally get some good weather this weekend and from then on?"

He warned that cinemas rely for success on the quality of the films available "and there aren't that many big films lined up for release until later in the summer".