When cinemas in Brighton and Hove will reopen

There's nothing quite like the giddy childlike nausea of flicking through trailers deciding which movie to go and see, then walking into the gigantic popcorn-scented cinema and escaping to a new land with the latest film. 

Unfortunately cinemas have been closed on and off in England for nearly a year now due to the coronavirus pandemic, and try as we might but Netflix at home doesn't quite cut it. 

READ MORE: Tickets on sale as Brighton Open Air Theatre announces summer shows

READ MORE: Fatboy Slim announces show at Brighton Centre

If you're itching to get back to the cinema too, then here's everything you need to know:

When can cinemas open?

Duke of York - The Argus

It looks like we won't see the flicker of a projector light until the third stage of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown. 

Cinemas are expected to reopen on 17 May at the earliest as part of the government's plan to get us back to 'normality'. 

During stage three of the roadmap indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will be able to reopen.

Outdoor cinemas including drive-ins are allowed to reopen from April 12, with no curfews in place for any venues.

When will cinemas in Brighton and Hove reopen?

Lewes Depot - Picture: Hufton and Crowe

The Duke of York's Picturehouse in Preston Road, which is believed to be Britain's oldest operational cinema, has announced it is expecting to reopen on 17 May in line with government guidelines.

Digital Spy reported that Cineworld is aiming to reopen its sites on May 17, having closed them early due to a lack of new releases.

Duke's at Komedia, in Gardner Street, and the Cineworld site at Brighton Marina are also going to reopen, as long as the government's "roadmap" to lifting lockdown restrictions is not altered.

The Odeon at Kingswest have not announced a date for reopening but it is likely they will follow suit with Cineworld and open around 17 May. 

Lewes Depot will be opening their bar and restaurant from 12 April and they hope to be screening more independent and world films from 17 May if the government's roadmap goes to plan. 

We will keep this article updated as cinemas release dates for reopening. 

How will social distancing work?

Cinema firms had announced guidelines to try to keep people apart when they reopened after the previous lockdowns and it is likely similar measures will have to be put in place.

To allow for social distancing, cinemas could operate at reduced ticketing.

Show times could also be staggered to reduce the number of people queuing or waiting in the foyer.

Customers could also be asked to book online with contactless payments at the tills which will only sell pre-packaged food and drinks.