CHESTER'S Storyhouse has announced that it will be holding back seats for its Christmas show dates so customers from areas where more stringent Covid-19 restrictions are currently in place have the opportunity to buy them.

Tickets for the eagerly-anticipated festive production of A Christmas Carol, which opens next month, will go on general sale at 2pm today (October 14) with a certain amount being held back.

Storyhouse had paused its public on-sale date due to the Government announcing its new three-tired lockdown restrictions which will be in place over the Christmas period.

Theatres are exempt from closure, even in tier three areas, meaning the show can go ahead.

Storyhouse says it has not forgotten about its many customers caught up in travel-related Covid-19 restrictions.

People in areas such as Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham are currently restricted from travelling to Chester, while customers in the Liverpool City Region – including the Wirral – are advised against it.

Chief executive Andrew Bentley said: "Chester of course borders both the Wirral and North Wales and some of our most loyal customers come from those areas.

"It would be tragedy for them to miss out, lord knows we needs some fun right now. So, to combat that, we are holding seats in the theatre for all customers from these areas.

"When the various restrictions are lifted, we'll release those seats but only to customers from those areas. Customers can visit our website to find out how to pre-register if they're not already on our list."

He added: "We got a great vote of confidence from the government this week with some funds specifically to help us remain open and put on productions at this tricky time.

"It’s great to see that the unique steps we have been taking to stay open have been recognised, in return we’re going to pull out all the stops this Christmas to make it special.

"With four out of five UK theatres mothballed this will be one of a tiny number of Christmas shows in the UK this year and we are mindful that demand will be high.

"30% of the tickets have been sold already to members in the priority period. It’s only fair that we try to distribute them evenly."