Jersey's Cineworld isn't re-opening as planned this month because popcorn and pick n' mix sweets have to be eaten while sat at a table, under the current government rules.

The cinema chain told Channel 103 yesterday the current restrictions meant it wasn't viable to resume screenings, despite UK cinemas re-opening from Wednesday 19th May.

It means cinema snacks couldn't be eaten in auditoriums, which Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham, says he hopes to fix:

"The Workplace Restrictions Order currently requires everyone to be sat at a table when eating and drinking, so Cineworld can re-open, but under the current restrictions, it couldn't serve food or drink because they wouldn't be sat at a table.

"Hopefully this can be resolved very quickly by covering cinemas and auditoriums within that order. I've asked officers to look at it and hopefully, the Health Minister could sign that off very quickly."

Senator Farnham added that he's keen to have Cineworld up and running again 'as soon as possible':

"I'm keen to get the cinema re-opened as quickly as possible so islanders can get back to watching some movies - and you can't really enjoy a film without a box of popcorn and a Coke!"

The law (Workplace Restrictions Order) requires everyone to be sat at a table when eating/drinking. Cineworld can open but under the current restrictions can not serve food or drink 🍿🥤!! Hopefully this can be resolved quickly to include cinemas/auditoriums - Working on it 🎥

— Dep. Lyndon Farnham (@lyndonfarnham) May 12, 2021