Museum cinema set to reopen after RAAC closure

The National Science and Media Museum's Pictureville Cinema has been closed for ten months

The main cinema at Bradford's National Science and Media Museum is set to reopen after a 10-month closure forced by concerns over crumbling concrete.

The Pictureville Cinema will open its doors once again on 31 August after undergoing "remediation works" due to the presence of reinforced aerated autoclave concrete (RAAC).

RAAC, which was used as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, can cause buildings to be structurally unsound when exposed to moisture.

Cinema tickets will be £3 on the day of reopening, with screenings including a special showing of Wonka, a 4k restoration of Terminator to mark its 40th anniversary and the Japanese anime hit My Neighbour Totoro.

The museum previously confirmed it would be closed for an expended period to "ensure the safety of staff and visitors".

The attraction also houses what was Europe's first IMAX screen and the smaller Cubby Broccoli screen, with the museum itself undergoing a full remodel ahead of Bradford's year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

The Pictureville Cinema screen allows visitors to watch films in an ultra-wide format

Sally Folkard, the museum's head of screen and cultural engagement, said: "Audiences will be able to enjoy a fantastic programme including the latest releases, new restorations plus the best of world cinema and independent classics."

The cinema’s annual Widescreen Weekend film festival will also return from 26 to 30 September.

The Cubby Broccoli screen also recently reopened, but the IMAX remained temporarily closed due to the ongoing refurbishment project.

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