Antrim and Newtownabbey urged to explore outdoor cinema options

That was a suggestion made by Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop at Tuesday evening’s remote meeting of the borough council.

Cllr Dunlop said he would like to see the local authority work with cinema operators in the borough and asked for this potential to be explored.

Drive-in cinemas are permitted as part of an easing of lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland.

Two Newtownabbey churches have already requested permission to hold drive-in services at council-owned carparks.

Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church and Abbots Cross Congregational Church wish to make use of this council facility.

Trinity is seeking the use of the theatre car park at either Mossley Mill or at Ballyearl Leisure Centre and Abbots Cross Congregational wish to avail of the Valley Leisure Centre carpark.

Drive-in church services have been permitted by the Northern Ireland Executive under a relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown rules as long as people stay in their cars.

Macedon Alliance Cllr Billy Webb suggested the council needs to have a policy relating to each of its carparks.

Glengormley Sinn Fein Cllr Michael Goodman said: “The idea of a first come first served process is suitable. Hopefully this is going to be a short term measure.”

Cllr Goodman stated his only concern, given the council’s “financial situation”, would be the potential cost to it.

Glengormley Ald Mark Cosgrove, who proposed the recommendation to approve the request, indicated a “minimal cost” may be involved for use of council carparks.

Threemilewater Alliance Cllr Tom Campbell noted: “We do not know how long this will go on. Cinema has the potential for noise and disturbance. We need to set some ground rules.”

Ald Cosgrove asked the chief executive Jacqui Dixon to bring a report back to the next meeting to “flesh out a proper policy on issues raised to include financial costs incurred by council”, adding the local authority “needs to be cautious during this period”.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.