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Drive-in cinemas coming this summer to UK

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drive-in cinema

In response to social distancing measures, the drive-in cinema is making a comeback this summer in the UK, thanks to the Luna Drive In Cinema and @TheDriveIn.

The Luna Drive In Cinema is heading to Allianz Park and Blenheim Palace in London, Knebworth House in Hertfordshire, and Warwick Castle in Warwick.

The Americana-style cinema attractions will feature burgers, fries and roller-skating waiters against stately home and medieval castle backdrops.

Giant screens will show movies including Grease, Pretty Woman, Dirty Dancing, Sister Act, Mary Poppins, and The Blues Brothers.

Burgers and fries at the Luna Drive In Cinema

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5t030HLqk/

Drive-in entrepreneur George Wood, who set up the Luna Cinema, told The Guardian: “They had no other events going on, their doors were closed ā€“ so the financial need was big.

“Suddenly, everyone was saying, this is a great idea ā€“ letā€™s do it.”

“People need to rebuild their confidence before theyā€™ll step back into a theatre or a cinema ā€“ and drive-in is the perfect socially distanced event,” added Wood.

Visitors to the Luna Drive In Cinema will have their licence plates scanned on arrival before being directed to pre-assigned parking bays. They will also need to collect a wireless speaker box through the car window.

Movies, comedy, music and bingo @TheDriveIn

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5hB6DAkF6/

Elsewhere, businessman Alan Crofton‘s @TheDriveIn is heading to 12 sites across Britain ā€“ including Edinburgh Zoo and Newcastle Airport.

Movies coming to @TheDriveIn events include Back to the Future, Jaws, Grease, Toy Story, Joker, and A Star is Born.

“Thereā€™s been a huge lack of events, so thereā€™s going to be a surge in popularity for this kind of thing,” he said. “We want to mix that traditional American drive in theme with a few modern touches.”

In addition to movies, @TheDriveIn offers stand-up comedy, music and bingo. When visitors arrive, they will get an FM frequency to tune their car radios, in a throwback to American drive-ins.

The Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit is also getting the worldā€™s first immersive drive-in art experience, whileĀ Six Flags Great Adventure is opening itsĀ safari adventure as a drive-through experience.

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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