The Strand Arts Centre in Belfast will be reopening its doors on Friday 24 July with a lineup that includes The Lost Boys, The Greatest Showman, Trolls: World Tour, Shaun the Sheep: Farmageddon, Sonic the Hedgehog, Calm with Horses, Bad Boys for Life, The Shawshank Redemption and a 40th-anniversary release of The Empire Strikes Back.
Tickets can be booked through their website.
At first, The Strand will be offering a slightly reduced programme, with only three performances in each screen daily instead of four. This will enable the cinema to stagger the start and finish times of films, minimise queues in the foyer and manage the flow of people through the building.
They have also removed all chairs and tables from their foyer to create more space, and there will also be separate entrances and exits into and out of the foyer.
Online Booking
As screenings will be running at a reduced capacity, The Strand strongly advises that you book your tickets in advance. You can do this online, by phoning (028) 9065 5830 or in person at the venue (office hours only until 24th July). As a result of this, The Strand has removed their £1.50 transaction fee for online and phone bookings until further notice.
For those who do not wish to book in advance, you can still do so at the venue prior to the performance subject to tickets still being available. The Strand does encourage contactless payment and there is an increased limit of £45.
If you have a Movie Lover loyalty card, you can book up to 2 discounted adult tickets per visit (for screenings after 5 pm). This can be done either at the venue with your loyalty card or when booking online using your card number.
Booking online will allow patrons to choose the exact seats they want. When booking reserved seats online for the first time, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the seating plan – the front of the auditorium, starting with row A, will be at the bottom of the computer screen.
In the example below, when you book seats for your party, the box office system will automatically block off the seats in front and behind (a), two seats on either side of you (b), and nobody sitting diagonally in front or behind you (c). This means that for a party of two people, you will be cushioned by 12 empty seats!
After you have selected your tickets, you will be able to purchase confectionery online to collect when you arrive at the venue. Please note that ONLY confectionery purchased in the Strand can be consumed on the premises.
When booking online, you will receive an e-mail confirming the date/time/screen and seat numbers for your performance. Please note this e-mail will not come from the Strand, but from their ticketing provider, Jacro (may display as Jack-Roe in some e-mails).
You will be asked when booking if you are happy to share your contact details, if required, with the NHS Test & Trace scheme. This consent is not required but is encouraged. Your details will be kept on file for NHS Test & Trace for 21 days only.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
As a result of any concerns around COVID-19 (e.g. you or someone in your household develop symptoms or you have been contacted by NHS Test & Trace), you can exchange or refund your tickets (prior to the performance only) at no cost for bookings you have made for any events up to 31 December 2020.
The Strand has used this period of closure to undertake a deep clean of the building, a steam clean of the carpets and upgrade some of their screens and sound systems to enhance patrons viewing experience.
There will be hand sanitizers in the foyer and outside of screens, and hand wash in the toilets. Signage will clearly state that a maximum of two people at any one time can use the toilet facilities.
Staff will undertake regular cleaning of the toilet facilities, foyer and all regular touchpoints throughout the day. Auditoriums will be cleaned between every performance.
Perspex screens have been installed at the box office counter. Until further notice, the staff at the Strand Arts Centre will wear face coverings. It is entirely up to your own discretion should you wish to do so.