A new lounge area has ‘premiered’ at Whitehaven’s Gaiety cinema.

The Tangier Street venue, which reopened last year to the delight of Copeland’s public, has launched its new Cinema Lounge next to the foyer and kiosk.

The area was previously used for storage and office space and, say the cinema’s owners, “complements the 1920s building, by boasting a modern urban feel with contemporary decor, tables and chairs, with vintage cinema posters on the walls”.

Charlotte Kennedy, marketing manager for the cinema, said: “We’re delighted with our newly revealed lounge area and hope it will add to the whole cinematic experience at the Gaiety.

“Customers can now enjoy a chat and a drink with friends – with beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks available – before going into the cinema, or discuss the best bits of their chosen movie after the film has finished.”

The new lounge coincides with the launch of an Event Cinema programme at the Gaiety, which brings live broadcasts of theatre, ballet and opera to the big screen.

The series features musical maestro Andre Rieu and his live Maastricht concert on Sunday, July 24 (3pm), followed by Opera Australia’s performance of Turnadot filmed live at Sydney Harbour, and The Fairytale Series, including Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Coppelia by the Australian Ballet.

Charlotte added: “We believe our Event Cinema programme will add another dimension to the venue’s repertoire.

“With live theatre, opera, ballet and concert broadcasts forming the beginning of a new venture for us, it offers the people of Copeland the chance to ‘sit in the audience’ for performances they may never normally get the chance to see.”

The Gaiety has had around 30,000 cinema-goers through its doors since it reopened last October following a 12-year period of closure.

It relaunched with a screening of the classic Back to the Future followed by the James Bond blockbuster Spectre.

Tickets are available on 01946 748507 or www.gaietycinema.co.uk