Vue's good news for Northampton film fans who want a midweek movie

Vue is vowing not to abandon Northampton's film fans and stay open seven days a week.

The chain announced plans to temporarily shut three days a week at 20 per cent of its UK sites — but Vue Sol Central will keep its doors open.

Rivals Cineworld mothballed its Sixfields and Rushden multiplexes on Thursday after the new James Bond movie became the latest blockbuster to have its release delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kettering's Odeon also moved to a four-day week, opening Thursday to Sunday.

But a Vue spokesman said: “Since reopening over the summer, we have been delighted to welcome customers in Northampton back to experience classic and new blockbuster films, documentaries, live sport, live theatre and more.

"In order to ensure that our business is financially well-placed and able to return to full steam ahead once Hollywood studios start releasing the content that we know our audiences are clamouring to see in all its big screen glory, from next week, we will temporarily be reducing our opening days to Friday-Monday at 20 per cent of our UK sites.

"Vue Northampton continues to operate 7 days a week.”

Cinemas reopened in July following the Covid-19 lockdown but Cineworld shut up shop for the foreseeable future last week claiming Hollywood studios holding back new films had made business "unviable."

The latest 007 film No Time To Die, which was originally due out in April, had its release date was delayed until next spring just weeks before it was meant to be screened.

The new Fast and Furious film was also pushed back by Universal, now set for release in May 2021.

Christopher Nolan's epic Tenet did make it to the big screens during August but was greeted by mixed reviews.