A CINEMA is set to reopen after being closed for more than a month.

The Forum Cinema in Hexham closed on July 9 for six weeks after asbestos was discovered around pipework in the projection room.

The discovery was made by surveyors looking at roof repair work on behalf of the building’s owners, JD Wetherspoons, but they confirmed that air tests found no traces of asbestos fibres in the atmosphere.

There was not believed to be any risk to staff or customers, but all screenings were cancelled as a precaution.

The Forum will reopen tomorrow, showing Toy Story 4, The Lion King, and Yesterday.

While the cinema was closed during the busy school holidays, other venues around the town took up screenings to ensure children were not disappointed.

The Forum’s manager, Mike Ashmore, admitted that having to close was far from ideal.

“Having to close the building after our landlord made the discovery was not great for us, coming as it did during the school holidays, which is normally a busy time for us,” he said.

“But it was great to see other local organisations such as the Abbey, the Vault and the community centre step in and help provide us with venue space.

“Our regular patrons have been incredibly understanding with lots of messages of support on social media.”