Cineworld cinemas in Kent to begin reopening from July 10

Are you ready for a return to the big screen?

Cinema chain Cineworld has announced plans to begin opening Kent venues from July 10, with Disney's live action remake of Mulan likely to be amongst the first family films to be shown.

The chain - which has three cinemas in Rochester, Ashford and Dover - says it is implementing a range of safety measures to allow film fans to return to its venues. It follows an announcement by Hollywood Bowl which also plans to open four Kent bowling alleys from July.

Social distancing measures will be put in place across all areas within its cinemas, with an updated booking system that allows families to sit together while ensuring a safe distance between customers from different households.

Film start and end times will also be staggered to reduce crowds in foyers and corridors, while additional cleaning will be carried out between films and all employees will be given specific Covid-19 training and personal protective equipment provided to cinema staff where a risk assessment has deemed it necessary.

Speaking last month when tentative plans for reopening were first raised, a spokesman for the chain said: "Cineworld is excited by the great movie line up to follow the reopening of cinemas, starting with the highly-anticipated new Chris Nolan movie Tenet and immediately after that with Mulan, a new Disney adventure movie.

"Cineworld, as always, greatly believes in the theatrical experience and is fully committed to be the best place to watch a movie."

Mulan had due to be released in UK cinemas at the end of March. But Disney was forced to delay the film as countries locked down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The remake of the 1998 Disney film stars Liu Yifei as Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honoured warrior who takes his place to serve in the Imperial Army.

Read more family-related news from across Kent by visiting www.mykentfamily.co.uk