Gearing up for Fylde drive-in movie tour

Lytham’s Lowther Pavilion is preparing to tour the area from next month with its own pop-up drive-in cinema.

As well as ‘home ground’ at Lowther Gardens, likely venues are understood to include Mill Farm, home of AFC Fylde, at Wesham.

The aim is that the venture, likely to include the screening of family favourites such as Grease as well as new films, will help raise money for local community groups and charities.

Lowther Pavilion theatre has been closed since lockdown began in March but Tim Lince of the managing Lowther Trust said that after the Government announced socially-distanced drive-in cinema was to be encouraged, staff have been busy developing a plan to take to the road.

“We have seen this as a glorious opportunity to get back to our roots,” said Mr Lince.

“The theatre has always been proud that it is community led and driven and we have to remember that a building is just that – it is what goes on inside that changes people’s lives.

“During the lockdown we have been conscious that sharing in a community experience, apart from the essential worker applause, has been missing and we believe touring with our eight-metre screen and individual car sound systems will provide a way for people to come together in a socially-distanced manner and have a great night out.

The drive-in cinema will run at locations to be confirmed from mid-July to mid-September, with programme details also to be confirmed. Refreshments can be ordered from the cars and delivered in socially distanced fashion, with free ice cream for anyone turning up in costume.

The venture is backed by the Lytham-based Windmill Community Benefit Society, which provided financial support for the introduction of cinema at Lowther Pavilion three years ago.

Lytham St Annes Lions Club will be providing 50 car parking spaces for young carers throughout the season of screenings.

Mr Lince added: “None of this would have been possible without the support of the Windmill Community Benefit Society, whose generosity has enabled Lowther to purchase the equipment and take community cinema out to the local residents.”