Subtitles to be added for movie goers

Subtitles to be added for movie goers

27 August 2014

ECLIPSE Cinemas Downpatrick plan to introduce subtitled screenings once a month and wants to hear film suggestions.

This is another disability friendly move from the Downpatrick business, which is to feature as a Centre for Accessible Environments (CEA) case study for an online publication on accessibility and customer service for people with disabilities.

The cinema already offers infrared headsets for the hearing impaired in a number of its screens.

Million Dollar Arm opens next week as the first subtitled movie and tickets will be on sale next week.

Roisin McManus, manager at Eclipse Cinemas, explained: “We are asking for customers to email subtitles@eclipsecinemas.com to have their say or request a particular movie to be shown.

“We will also send them on information regarding upcoming screenings.”

Roisin said they were also delighted to hear from the Centre for Accessible Environments on their disability access.

“Eclipse Cinemas Downpatrick is a small, family run cinema which opened almost five years ago,” she said. “When the original designs were being put in place it was very important to the Barrett family to incorporate the highest standards of comfort for all customers. Our wheelchair facilities played a central role in the designs.

“Rather than simply designing a cinema and factoring in wheelchair facilities wherever there was space in order meet legislation, the cinema was designed first and foremost to be wheelchair friendly.

“The entrance to the cinema and the general layout is extremely easily accessible. While some cinemas have VIP seating sections, all of our seats are luxury American rocker seats which recline. Our wheelchair bays are not situated right at the front of our screens, but are incorporated within our standard seating areas.

“In terms of staff training, this is something we pride ourselves on. As an independent cinema it is often hard to compete with large cinema chains, so we go to great lengths to ensure that our customer service stands out. In the last two years we have achieved the Investors in People Award, and we also won the Beyond Business Awards for Training and People Development.

“We also provide special screenings for vulnerable groups who find it difficult to attend the cinema in normal circumstances for public screenings.”

As well as the new subtitled screenings, the cinema also hopes to bring a classic movie to the big screen once a month.

Tickets for Million Dollar Arm can be purchased online at www.eclipsecinemas.com, on 028 4461 6777 or by calling into the cinema.