You must have heard about the open cinema, but do you know about the floating cinema? Sounds exciting, right? Well, the UK has opened its first ever float in cinema – OpenAir, by Häagen-Dazs during the lockdown in June 2020. Let’s dive deep into the details: Cinema goers can captain their boats through the Regent’s Canal of London’s little Venice before mooring for the film. The Co – founder of OpenAir explained how he got the idea for this marvellous venture.
“There was a bit of a lightbulb moment, actually. The idea came about midway through lockdown. We are thinking about a drive-in concept and then we really liked the idea of being able to deliver by boats. Got in touch with Go Boat and we could put the idea of the UK’s first floating cinema together,” – Greenhalgh.
The films are pictured on a large screen and audio comes through the wireless headphones. The LED screen leads viewers to watch films during the day and night. Popcorn and snacks can be ordered straight to the boat via an app or QR code.
We have got socially distanced in place between the deckchairs. We can only take a maximum of six individuals from different households on the boats, or we can take two households or two bubbles to just maintain that socially distancing for people when they are on the boats, or in the deckchairs. So we are doing what we can.
We have also got a QR code menu, so everything will be totally contactless. You’ll sit in your deckchair or your boat and you will order through the QR code and your food or drink will be brought right to you. So maintain as much contact free as we can.
Those who are afraid to hop onboard, the screening can be watched from socially distant deck chairs next to the canal! “It’s an experience you’re never going to forget. And, you know, memories are going to be forever. So going to the cinema is just very bog standard isn’t these days. But this is something you’re never going to forget. So I think it’s definitely worth investing in,” said a guest
“Have done nothing like this before. I have been to movies in the park and rooftops, but never on a canal or on the floating boats. So I’m just excited. There would be nothing better than this to watch a movie.”
Well, the OpenAir shows films including family favorites such as ‘Toy Story’ and ‘The Lion King’ as well as singalong showings in the evening of ‘Grease’, ‘Rocketman’ and‘ The Greatest Showman’ and now it’s all set to again entertain its guests in June through this amazing experience the cinema provides. So as, mentioned by Greenhalgh that this place was fully restricted by strict Covid guidelines.
