Indoor family attractions will be among the places to reopen when lockdown restrictions ease further later this month.
As part of the country’s next step out of lockdown, entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play centres will finally be allowed to welcome customers back.
With social distancing measures still in place, there will be restrictions on visitor numbers and adults and older children will still need to be wearing face masks inside.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Among the attractions gearing themselves up to reopen is Legoland Discovery Centre at the Trafford Centre, where bosses say health and safety is the main priority as they prepare to welcome families once again.
The Lego mini figures in Miniland are leading by example, by keeping socially distanced and wearing face masks throughout.
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General manager Craig Seedhouse said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back through our doors on May 17 to enjoy our wonderful attractions.
“Legoland Discovery Centre Manchester is following strict protocols, including a reduced daily capacity, social distancing measures, enhanced cleaning and hygiene stations and request that all guests wear face masks within the indoor areas of the centre.”
Soft play centres will also be reopening, including the much-loved Adventure Forest, also in Trafford.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Families have already booked sessions for when the place reopens on May 20 after slots were made available online.
The venue’s had a thorough clean and it’s also now home to an extended toddler area after being damaged by flooding last year.
As well as capacity being reduced by 40%, tables will be socially distanced and there’ll be an enhanced cleaning schedule in place.
The play frame is also being coated regularly with an antimicrobial coating, there’ll be perspex screens in place, a new ventilation system, hand sanitising stations and more.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Directors Kelly Edwards and Jenna Camilleri said: “We are so excited to be reopening. While we have been closed, we have been busy extending our toddler area and installing some new and exciting features. We have also given our party rooms a makeover.
“We have worked really hard to make sure we are keeping our customers safe. Cleanliness has always been our top priority. We are so excited to welcome our lovely customers back to Adventure Forest. We need everyone’s support now more than ever.”
It’s not just soft play reopening though, trampoline centres and other activity parks are reopening from the same date.
Manchester’s Kickair, Bounce Central in Salford, Air Vault in Bolton and Flip Out in Manchester and Rochdale are among those getting ready to open.
Ninja parks are opening too, including Ninja Warrior UK Adventure Wigan, which is taking online bookings for groups of six or two households.
Cinema trips will also soon be back on the cards. The Odeon cinema chain announced on Tuesday that it will begin to open its 120 UK and Ireland branches from May 17.
It’s not yet clear which ones will be opening first, but it’s understood that all seats will have to be pre-booked when branches return.
If you’ve missed a game of bowling with the family, tenpin bowling alleys are reopening too, including branches of Hollywood Bowl, Namco Funscape inside the Trafford Centre and tenpin at Manchester’s Printworks.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A spokesperson for Namco said online bookings are strongly recommended as walk-ins will only be accepted if capacity allows. Again face masks will be required and you can only book for a maximum of six people.
Bowling balls, ramps, lane seating and scoring screens will be sanitised on a regular basis and customers will be asked to register using NHS Track and Trace.
And if it’s a free trip to the museum that you’ve been looking forward to, then those are opening too.
We reported on Monday how you can now book tickets for the Science and Industry Museum, where a new £5m gallery space is launching with a spy-themed exhibition on May 19.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Other museums are opening, including Manchester Museum, which opens on the same date and will be opening 11am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday, with free timed tickets available online.
The National Football Museum will open a little later, on May 27, but it’ll still be open in time for May half term and you can book tickets now. As will Salford Museum and Art Gallery, which reopens on May 29. Keep an eye on the Facebook page here for details of how to get tickets.
