THE owner of the Palace Cinema in Malton has said it has been heartening to see the support from audiences since it reopened earlier this month.

Managing director Jeremy Powell said: “Having been open again since October 2, the cinema is alive again. Very early days as we get our audience back – very successful stage shows and films which are not so well known are really gaining great support from the audience.

“We have Covid-19 safety measures in place with hand sanitisers conveniently around the cinema and we have a posh clear screen between our staff and patrons.

“Our cleaning and sanitisation routines have been implemented and are on show to demonstrate how often they are done and have been.

“We have the social distancing worked out in the screens with two and then two on one row and offset to the row in front.”

Jeremy added: “Some people had voiced concerns about having to wear a face covering throughout a performance - except if exempt or eating refreshments of course - but then said the same as me that you don’t actually notice it when you are engrossed and not moving around in your seat.

“There is a challenge from the moving film release schedule, but there are still some really excellent films - Bill Murray in On The Rocks and family films like Pixie and The Secret Garden, are in from Friday, for example.

“We are looking forward to half-term with four shows a day across the three screens. We plan a Halloween special with Saint Maud being the big one as it was filmed around Scarborough. There are many great films which have still got release dates leading up to Christmas so it is really looking a good time for our cinema.

“Stage shows are bringing people in and we are really loving the response from the audiences for Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes and Michael Ball & Alfie Boe: Back Together. Uncle Vanya is our next.

“It has been really heartening to get the feedback that people feel safe and we have re-opened again.”