A THEATRE which has been closed for more than a year is finally set to reopen as government lockdown restrictions ease.

Halstead’s Empire Theatre has announced it will reopen from next Monday.

It comes after the Government announced an easing of coronavirus restrictions which stopped businesses holding indoor events.

Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants will be also be allowed to serve customers indoors again.

The announcement is a relief for the theatre which has been closed since March 2020 apart from just two weeks in November.

The Empire, which is a registered charity, regularly held cinema viewings, theatre performances, live music and children’s entertainment.

Now bosses hope to bring residents a slice of normality as they hold their first cinema event of the year next Wednesday – a screening of feel-good film Military Wives, starring Kristin Scott Thomas, at 2.30pm.

Bingo at the theatre is expected to take place on the Monday.

The theatre has also undergone renovation work with a new cinema screen being installed along with other changes.

The venue will follow current government guidelines with visitors following social-distancing rules.

Theatre bosses say the theatre will also be cleaned regularly with measures in place to make it a Covid-free experience.

Empire chairman Mike George said: “We’re trying to encourage people to book a seat online. Our website will have everything on it.

“They will be able to choose a seat where there will be two seats between each person and an empty row in front and behind.

“We’re still waiting for the green light from the government to be able to do everything but we’re making the theatre as Covid-safe as possible.

“We’re very fortunate in that we have volunteers and are a registered charity so our overheads are quite low.

“The council has also been very supportive.

“But not enough info is being fed back to the industry. It is very frustrating because theatres are thrown in with pubs and clubs but it is a completely different industry.

“Now we’re looking forward to reopening and helping people get back to normality.

“It is the same sort of feeling as going back to the pub but going to the theatre, going to the cinema, going to the bingo.

“We’re not expecting too much but we just want to get going and then we’ll see how it goes.”