This is when independent Sheffield cinema The Showroom plans to reopen

The city centre venue is one of Europe’s largest independent cinemas, and after being awarded £174,916 in the second round of the Government's Culture Recovery Fund, The Showroom is now set to reopen from May 17.

Chief Executive Ian Wild said the Showroom will have films showing all day, as well as a brand new menu in its café bar.

While The Showroom does have an outside seating area, meaning they could open with other outdoor hospitality venues from April 12, Ian says they took the decision to reopen “everything together” next month.

"Most people who visit us want to come for the whole experience of going to the cinema and coming to sit in the bar for a glass of wine afterwards,” said Ian.

He added: “When we reopen, everything’s going to look nice and fresh, and it’s going to feel safe, too.”

The film programme has not been put together yet, but Ian says there is a backlog of films they are looking forward to screening, and The Showroom will also be showing a selection of the winners from this year’s Oscars.

The Oscars will be held on April 26 and “Nomadland” and “Promising Young Woman” are among the nominees for Best Picture.

It will almost be summer when the Showroom reopens, and as such, its new menu will feature more “salads and lighter meals,” says Ian.

The cinema and café bar was open for just six weeks last Autumn, before closing again in November.

Ian said: "Our customers have been incredibly supportive throughout the last year, while we’ve been closed. We’ve received lots of kind messages. Many of our customers have continued to renew their membership, which has been fantastic.

“Once we’re open, once we can do it safely, we want to hold an event to thank our customers for their generosity,” said Ian.

He said The Showroom is “really pleased” that a lot of the partners they work with, such as Sheffield Doc Fest, the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival and Celluloid Screams, are set to hold their events at the venue again later on in the year.

Social distancing measures will mean there will be a reduced capacity within the café bar, as well as the venue’s four film screens.

READ MORE:

- Sheffield pubs prepare to reopen their beer gardens with just days to go until restrictions are

- 19 great Sheffield restaurants, cafés and pubs that are set to re-open for alfresco dining

- Full list of Sheffield pubs that plan to reopen in April and May - including details of whether you will need to book in advance

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.