Vue: The Ultimate Big Screen Experience -

Of all the things the children have missed out on over the last year, from holidays to birthday parties, time with family and friends and even their schooling, I think if you were to ask them what they had missed the most the cinema would be right up there at the top! Ever since they were tiny they have loved the big screen, their little eyes round with amazement at just one years old sitting through the latest Disney movie, chomping down popcorn as soon as they were old enough, watching trailers on YouTube of movies they are desperate to watch as they grow. So this week, with Vue reopening, I surprised them with an after school trip to watch the new Peter Rabbit 2 movie and you could have heard their cheers of excitement for miles around!

Obviously due to the pandemic there are a number of safety measures in place and as we arrived at Vue I felt instantly reassured to see that these start from the offset with a designated safety team on hand to greet you on arrival and ensure you are following the correct procedures to keep yourself and others safe during the screening. We were asked to sanitise our hands on arrival via a motion detected hand sanitiser station so you really do stay as germ-free as possible. The novelty of using hand sanitiser still hasn’t worn off for the children!

For those with the NHS Track and Trace app you can simply scan the QR code on arrival to register your check-in which is super quick and easy. For those who don’t have the Track and Trace app, Vue have their own contact tracking system on their website with an easy QR code for instant access where it takes just a couple of minutes to input your details.

Not only are there hand sanitiser stations throughout the foyer but there are multiple signs reminding you to wear a face mask at all times unless food and drink is being consumed. There are also barriers in place so that there is one way queuing as well as markers on the floor to remind you to keep your distance too which is great, especially with kids!

As much as the children adore watching new movies, a huge part of the experience for the three of them is the snacks! Vue have the most amazing range of snacks including your classic popcorns, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, crisps and sweets and even hot foods such as nachos and hot dogs. Choosing their snacks often takes longer than it does to choose their movie!

The thing I always love the most about Vue is that even when the children are taking forever to choose their snacks, the staff are always so patient and accommodating. The manager was happy to bring a selection of snacks for the children to choose from, chatted to them about Peter Rabbit 2, allowed them to choose which bunny to have on their Peter Rabbit 2 novelty cup and even gave them a poster to take home to enjoy. This is exactly what the big screen experience is all about for me, from start to finish just a really lovely family outing and one the children always chat about for weeks after.

With our snacks all sorted it was time to head to our screen and the children were so excited to watch Peter Rabbit 2. I love that moment when you head into the cinema, switch off your phone, sit back and just immerse yourself in a film for two blissful hours. There’s no phone calls, no emails pinging away, no texts or reminders of the things you’ve got to get done, just pure escapism which, let’s face it, we have needed this year more than ever. For three children who can never keep still, you have never seen them as quiet as they are in the cinema!

Obviously with Vue you have the luxury of large leather recliners where we were able to put our feet up, enjoy our snacks and watch the big screen which, in my opinion, is the only way to enjoy these new releases! Social distancing rules applied so there were empty spaces to either side of our family, masks were worn when not eating or drinking, and yet it still felt incredibly normal to be back doing something we really love.

As much as I loved watching the movie itself, I loved seeing the look on the children’s faces even more. Hearing them belly laugh at Peter and his mischief or toss popcorn into their mouths with absolute joy was so lovely and as we left Harry slotted his little hand in mine and said, “I’ve really missed doing that!” and I could have burst with happiness for him.