Bluewater drives its appeal with open-air cinema experience

Bluewater, one of Europe’s leading retail and leisure destinations, is to host The Luna Cinema for a new drive-in format from April 12, as part of plans to welcome the return of guests as the lockdown lifts.

Set to launch in-line with the government’s re-opening roadmap, The Luna Cinema will deliver a state-of-the-art drive-in cinema experience, using the UK’s highest definition outdoor screens, in-car digital sound solutions, and a new click & collect food and drink offer.

The Luna Cinema’s latest venue will hold approximately 180 cars per screening and present a programme of two screenings per night, plus an afternoon matinee screening for film fans of all ages on weekends.  The screen will sit up on the top level of the multi-storey carpark with the dramatic backdrop of Bluewater’s chalk cliffs.

Over the past 13 years, The Luna Cinema has established itself as the market leader in the UK’s open air and pop-up cinema industry. First pivoting to a drive-in format in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, The Luna Cinema attracted nearly a quarter million people in 2020.

Rob Hardie, Portfolio Director at Landsec, co-owner and asset manager of Bluewater, said: “Bluewater has always provided a unique day-out for guests, but we are constantly looking to evolve the experience.  Partnering with The Luna Cinema to deliver this event is a prime example of our strategy in action and will help ensure Bluewater retains its position as the first-choice destination for guests across the region.  It is a relevant and engaging experiential offer that will can be comfortably enjoyed while social distancing as the lockdown lifts.”

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said: “We are hugely excited to announce our spring drive-in cinema season, including the launch of our Bluewater site on April 12.  There’s no doubt people are desperate to get back to the big screen experience, after months in their homes, and drive in is the perfect format to comply with social distancing regulations this spring.  We believe we have developed the ultimate big screen experience to enjoy from your car, combining state of the art technology with the nostalgic rose-tinted Americana of the classic drive in cinema.  

“Being Kent-based ourselves, we can’t wait to welcome audiences to our fully covid-secure drive in site at Bluewater, for what is likely to be their first evening out in a very long time.  After such a long winter indoors, an evening of cinema under the stars with a feel-good classic on the big screen, and some great food and drink to accompany the film, is just what we all need right now.”

In addition to its launch at Bluewater this April, The Luna Cinema is returning once again in drive-in form across various other sites across the country, including Blenheim Palace, the Birmingham NEC, and Knebworth House, with more venues to be added soon.

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