FILM fans in South Cumbria will not have to wait much longer to watch the latest releases on the big screen.

The Roxy in Ulverston is officially opening its doors to the public on July 24 after a four month closure due to the coronavirus crisis.

The independent cinema, based in Brogden Street, is opening before its national competitors, Vue, Cineworld and Odeon, who are planning on reopening a larger number of its cinemas on July 31.

Owner of The Roxy, Charles Morris, said the team was ‘anxious’ to reopen the cinema again.

He said: “We’ve been anxious to get reopened. We’ve been having withdrawal symptoms over the past few months.

“It’s like opening a new cinema again.

“It’s very exciting times

“We’ve got a programme of films lined up - some of which we couldn’t show because of coronavirus.

“We’re opening with the popular classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s to get people back in the mood, followed by Military Wives.”

The Roxy has introduced a range of measures to protect staff and customers from Covid-19, including: social distancing, hand sanitising stations and a seating plan that maintains safe distances from other film-goers.

The cinema is also limiting audience capacity at 25 per cent to ensure safety among customers.

Mr Morris said: “Staff will be wearing masks.

“There will be perspex guards in front of the ticket machine and sweet counter and there will be hand sanitisers in various locations.

“There will also be seats marked to be used and not to be used to ensure necessary distancing.

“And for the first time we have advanced booking on the website to help enable people to book individual seats online.”

No date has been set for the reopening of The Royalty in Bowness, which Mr Morris also runs.

He said he planned to assess how well the Roxy works before making a call.

Other films coming up will include: Onward; Military Wives; Dark Waters; The Invisible Man;and Love Sarah.