THE movies have returned to Swindon - but with PPE and social distancing.

Both the town’s Cineworld cinemas reopened on Friday - the same day the Government announced facemasks would be compulsory from next weekend.

I went along to the Regent Circus complex to see how things had changed.

As I arrived at the cinema a worker greeted me at the door before informing me my chosen film, Back to the Future, had been cancelled due to technical issues.

Slightly disappointed but not disheartened I rebooked my ticket for Empire Strikes back and headed up the escalator which was designated the up path in the one-way system.

But that one-way system went out the door as soon as I reached the foyer.

There was plenty of signage around the atrium asking people to socially distance and saying only one customer (or family) could be on a sofa at either time.

Queuing up for my snacks, markers were placed on the floor to help the queuing system and staff were wearing PPE and had screens to protect them from customers.

I was served my food with no trouble and headed over to the ticket checker.

This is was where another change could be seen. To have my tickets checked I had to put them on a tray so a staff member could look at them and cross them off - avoiding touching them altogether.

The one-way system came into play again when on my way to the screen. Each set of doors was propped open to avoid people constantly touching the handles.

I had worn a mask so far but as soon as I was in my seat it came off.

The cinema does not let people book tickets within two seats of another party so I felt I was a safe distance away from other people. Next week audiences will have to keep their masks on - it’s not clear what this means for popcorn lovers.

It was a smooth process, and it felt good to get the escapism and forget about the current crisis.

One couple out enjoying their first trip back to the cinema at the same time as me were Stuart Neil and Georgia Howton.

Stuart said: “We’ve missed it. We tried to come yesterday but they had teething issues.

“I think it’s the right time to reopen. The government have done what they can and they’re bringing in masks next week.

“I don’t know why it’s next week but we’ll follow the law either way.”

A poll run by the Advertiser over the weekend suggested that many people were not ready to go back to the big screen. Of the 461 who responded, 91 per cent said they didn’t feel it was safe.

Only 9 per cent said they couldn’t wait to return.

On Facebook Jac Dawson said: “Booked for next week but cancelled because it said on the news we had to use a mask and I’m not interested in that.

“Might consider giving up my Cineworld card and reapply when everything is all back to normal.”