ODEON in Barons Quay will be relaunching on Monday.

The cinema chain says it will be unlocking its doors at the vast majority of its sites – including Northwich – on the first day that leisure venues can legally reopen as part of the government's roadmap.

Carol Welch, managing director of Odeon Cinemas Group UK and Ireland, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming guests back to experience the joy of the big screen at Odeon on May 17.

"We've all missed the magic that the cinema brings to movie watching, and we know our guests are excited about coming back. We are sure they will enjoy the great new offers that make their movie experiences better than ever.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to all our Odeon team members for their amazing energy and commitment over the last 12 months which has allowed us to get back to what we do best – welcoming guests back to experience movies in the best possible way.”

FILMS ON OPENING DAY

Peter Rabbit 2

With Peter Rabbit having made peace with Mr McGregor and Bea it looked like the mischievous bunny and his mates would live happily ever after. However, when Peter finds it impossible to shake his reputation as a troublemaker he runs away to have new adventures.

Family favourite Peter Rabbit 2 will be one of the three big brand new films to welcome guests backj at the Regent Centre

Family favourite Peter Rabbit 2 is one of the big new films for the relaunch of cinemas

Those Who Wish Me Dead

Starring Angelina Jolie and Nicholas Hoult, a teenage murder witness finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him – and a forest fire threatening to consume them all.

Sound Of Metal

A heavy metal drummer's life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing.

Nomadland

Winner of four Golden Globes, a woman in her 60s, after losing everything in the Great Recession, embarks on a journey through the American West, living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad.

Minari

A Korean family starts a farm in 1980s Arkansas.

The Unholy

A hearing-impaired girl is visited by the Virgin Mary and can suddenly hear, speak, and heal the sick. As people flock to witness her miracles, terrifying events unfold. Are they the work of the Virgin Mary or something much more sinister?

REOPENING OFFERS

To welcome visitors back, until September 30 you can get a Limitless membership from £9.99 per month. It is usually £17.99 a month and allows you to watch as many films as you want.

COVID MEASURES

  • A new app and website that makes the ticket booking process easier and safer.
  • A limit on the number of seats for sale for each film – guaranteeing unoccupied seats between parties to meet social distancing requirements.
  • Show start times will be staggered to reduce queues and there will be safe queuing measures with floor markings and a cinema host.
  • Pre-packaged food and drinks.
  • All payments are now contactless with cash no longer accepted.
  • Enhanced cleaning throughout with extra controls in all toilet facilities.
  • Stations offering sanitising gels and wipes and all staff trained on new hygiene measures.
  • Staff will be equipped with personal protective equipment including face coverings and gloves.
  • Face covering must be worn in cinemas – but can be removed during the screening to enjoy food and drinks

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.