Meet the Corby Covid-busting cinema staff ready to make movie magic

Staff at a Corby cinema have vowed to keep fans of the silver screen safe as they feast their eyes on the latest blockbusters and keep parents and children entertained over the school holiday.

Corby's Savoy Cinema has remained open seven days a week whilst cinemas across the county have reduced their opening hours or been mothballed including Cineworld at Rushden Lakes and Sixfields, Northampton.

The cinema in George Street reopened to customers just over two months ago, with strict measures to ensure that customers were protected from Covid-19.

Liam Hind, duty manager of the Savoy Cinema, said: "We're open with our same opening hours, We have blocked off every other row of seats and when you book your tickets, the computer automatically leaves a two-seat gap for the next booking.

"We have the new teen action film, Pixie, which has been selling very well especially in half-term. We're also being able to screen more productions from theatres that have recorded them and released them especially after lockdown."

This week the cinema will be showing some horribly good films for children and adults with Hocus Pocus (PG) and the John Carpenter 40th annivesary spine-tingling special screening of Halloween on October 31.

In order to keep customers safe, the staff have been using a Ghostbusters style backpack spray to disinfect each cinema between showings. Staff have also been cleaning door handles and increasing cleaning patrols in all areas.

Mr Hind said: "We are very on top of making sure that everything is as safe as possible. Between each film showing the interior is misted. We regularly clean the door handles and everything is wiped down. We have the NHS Track and Trace App."

Cinema goers must wear face coverings at all times, except when eating and drinking in the auditorium and use the hand sanitiser stations whilst employees serve from behind plastic screens at tills. Film start and end times have been staggered to reduce foyer and corridor crowding.

Mr Hind added: "Most people are in a considerably better position at our cinema than those going around the shops."