FREE screenings are being offered of Christmas classic ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ at The Rex in Wilmslow thanks to the town council.

The council is funding five special screenings of the film in the run-up to Christmas, and will be asking support groups in the community to refer individuals and families to request free tickets.

Once people who have been referred have had the opportunity to request tickets the remainder of the seats will be issued to the wider public by The Rex box office (telephone only) on a first come first served basis, from Monday, December 14.

The screenings will be held during the day in the week before Christmas and during Christmas week.

The first screening on Thursday, December 17 is being reserved for the over 60s, and the final screening on Wednesday, December 23 will take place in the wheelchair-accessible ‘Ballroom’ screen.

Bookings will be taken only from individual households or recognised bubbles to ensure Covid compliance. The Rex is set to reopen on Friday, December 11.

Town council chairman Martin Watkins said: “I would like to thank my fellow councillors for supporting this initiative, and in particular Cllr Mark Goldsmith for making the initial proposal.

“The Rex is a major footfall driver for our town centre and a focal point for the community, and should be accessible for all regardless of circumstance at this time.

“The Covid regulations add a significant level of complexity in delivering all initiatives this Christmas.

Knutsford Guardian:

“However the Rex has put in place Covid-secure measures, and although attendance is greatly reduced this initiative gives us an opportunity to add a little extra cheer at this difficult time.

“We are asking the wider general public to be patient in booking tickets. Subject to availability tickets will be issued to any Wilmslow resident from December 14.”

Tony Mundin from The Rex said: “We are very excited to announce that we will be reopening on Friday, and delighted that the town council has funded five free shows of It’s A Wonderful Life – it’s exactly what we all need right now.

“We have a programme full of Christmas films, special events and the much-anticipated new release of Wonder Woman 1984.

“We have worked hard to make the cinema Covid Secure and have implemented lots of new measures for your comfort and safety.

“It has recently been announced that cinemas in Tier 2 are allowed to serve alcohol to customers seeing a film.

“Bar sales are incredibly important for the vitality of our business and we know customers love enjoying a drink with their film.

“Continuing to support our local drinks suppliers by serving their drinks to our customers also means a lot to us.”