A CINEMA chain has revealed when it expects it will reopen all of its sites across the North-East.

On Thursday (May 28), the company said it hoped to resume showing films in all cinemas in England as early as July.

Cinemas were among the first businesses to close as the UK entered the coronavirus lockdown on March 23. 

A spokesperson for the company said: "Cineworld currently anticipates that Government restrictions related to cinemas will be lifted in each of its territories by July.

"Subject to this and confirmation of the schedule for film releases, Cineworld anticipates the reopening of all of its cinemas in July.

"Cineworld has put in place procedures to ensure a safe and enjoyable cinema experience for its employees and customers."

Revealing the news, the company promised it would be "the best place to watch a movie" even as social distancing measures are likely to hugely change the experience of going to the cinema.

In Berlin, one theatre has ripped out many of its seats to ensure distance between members of the audience while others have installed plastic screens between seats.

Cineworld's bosses said: "Cineworld is excited by the great movie line-up to follow the reopening of cinemas, starting with the highly anticipated new Chris Nolan movie Tenet and immediately after that with Mulan, a new Disney adventure movie.

"Cineworld, as always, greatly believes in the theatrical experience and is fully committed to be the best place to watch a movie."