The majority of cinemas will be closed on Monday but a select few are opening to screen the Queen's funeral for free.
The UK's largest cinema chains, Odeon and Cineworld, are closing for the whole day of September 19. However, around 150 sites have announced plans to show the state funeral free of charge, giving the public a chance to mourn collectively.
Vue, Curzon and Arc are all screening the proceedings. Vue, which has cinemas in Gateshead, Cramlington and Hartlepool, says its normal programming will be cancelled on Monday but it will be showing the funeral at select venues from 10am.
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The cinema chain said in a statement: "Seats will be free of charge and our retail offering on this day will be limited to complimentary bottled water during the broadcast, with no other snacks or drinks available for purchase. In addition, we will also screen the London Procession in the majority of our UK venues on Wednesday, 14 September, live from 1.30pm. On this day all other screens will be open showing film content as normal."
Arc Cinema also released a similar statement on Twitter, but warned customers that booking tickets ahead is essential, reports The Mirror. It said: "We have decided to screen Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral on Bank Holiday Monday 19th September at 11am.
"This is a free event but pre-booking your seat is essential. There will be no other shows taking place while the funeral is broadcast."
Other cinemas across the country plan to follow suit, including Reel Cinemas, Picturedome and Savoy. Meanwhile, Picturehouse, Showcase and The Light will keep their doors closed on Monday, alongside Odeon and Cineworld.
Commenting on its decision to close, a spokesperson for Odeon said: "As a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II all Odeon cinemas in the UK & Northern Ireland will be closed on Monday 19th September. We will re-open again on Tuesday 20th September."
Cineworld, which owns Picturehouse, is also closing its doors, with a spokesperson stating: "Out of respect to HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family, all of our UK cinemas will be closed on Monday September 19, the day of the state funeral. Those who have made bookings for this day will be contacted shortly."
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