THE smallest movie theatre in Dorset, and possibly the UK, is preparing to reopen next month following the easing of Covid restrictions.
The independent Colosseum Cinema, located downstairs at The Vintage Lounge in the Westbourne Arcade, has been closed for almost two years as staff were unable to come up with a solution to overcome social distancing guidelines.
Owner Paul Whitehouse and his team at the cinema have used this time to spruce up the interior and change the theatre’s layout ready for when the theatre could reopen once more.
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He said: “I've just registered to Filmbank for our licensing pass and our plan is to get everything up and going again.
“We’ve spent most of lockdown doing the place up and changing the layout a bit and it has a very different look now.
“We are working on the place all of this week coming and the interior will be very different than before so hopefully something interesting for people to see.”
The cinema area has been enlarged to now seat 25 people, and leather sofas and Dolby Atmos surround sound have been installed in the theatre.
New screens and toilets have also been added, and the ground floor bar has been enlarged to serve draught beer and had makeover with new lights and a fresh lick of paint.
The cinema will be open Friday March 4 with films starting again Monday March 7. Prior to this, the Colosseum Cinema will be hosting a children’s party one day and a weekend of rugby to show.
From March 4 onwards, the cinema will be hosting its midweek supper club and popular fish and chips film nights once again.
Paul added: “I think that everyone’s ready now and people want things to get back to normal.
“Up to now, there was a lot of uncertainty and people were scared to sit with strangers but, with all of the jabs and boosters, people feel now confident in mixing, and I believe that only recently has the general public mood changed.
“We will be available for private hire, kids’ parties, birthday doo's and get togethers, live sports and other events.
“We will create a membership scheme and make the most of what's going on either on Facebook or Instagram or via our website when it's back online.”
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