A CINEMA in Keswick is staying open over Christmas to give those who may be lonely over the period a place to go for company.

Carol Rennie, owner of the Alhambra Cinema, said: “We’re hoping to reopen on December 2 and stay open right through to Christmas Day.”

The aim is to give people a place to go so that they can be with others if they cannot see family members due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Carol said: “People aren’t going to be able to see visit people in the pandemic like they normally would.

“It will be a collective experience where they can be together with other people.”

She added that going to the cinema is one of the few community experiences available to people during the pandemic.

Cinemas are amongst the businesses that are hardest hit by financial hardship during the pandemic.

The Alhambra has stayed strong despite long periods of closure due to Covid restrictions.

Carol said: “It’s a big hit but we’re being looked after by this Independent Cinema Culture Recovery Fund. The fund is aimed at making sure we won’t go into the red by the end of March."

She added that although cinemas have been hard hit, support is out there.

“We feel quite well looked after. It’s guaranteeing that we aren’t going to go into the red.”

Covid-19 has posed a challenge, not just when their doors have been closed but also due to major film releases being pushed back until more customers are able to leave isolation.

During the second national lockdown, Alhambra Cinema has taken part in the YourScreen programme. This brings a slate of world cinema, mostly new to the UK, and customers who buy a virtual ticket are supporting the Alhambra from home. Ahead of their reopening in December, the Alhambra will be updating customers on their Christmas listings in the coming weeks.

Follow their social media platforms to stay up to date.

Current tier two plans will see an 11pm curfew on businesses like the cinema but screenings already started can conclude after that time.