This is when Cineworld is set to reopen 3 Brighton cinemas

The Duke of York's Picturehouse in Preston Road, which is believed to be Britain's oldest operational cinema, is among the trio expected to welcome back customers in two months time.

Duke's at Komedia, in Gardner Street, and the Cineworld site at Brighton Marina are also going to reopen, as long as the government's "roadmap" to lifting lockdown restrictions is not altered.

Picture by Roger Bamber:20 July 2010:Duke of Yorks cinema duty manager Emily Eastwood cleans the iconic sculptured striped legs on the roof of the Duke of Yorks cinema in Brighton, East Sussex, England UK. The Cinema celebrates its Centenary on 22

All three venues are owned by the Cineworld Group PLC.

When asked if they would be reopening in May, a spokesman for the company confirmed to The Argus that they would "as long as guidelines allow for it".

The government roadmap, which gives a timescale for the easing of nationwide coronavirus measures, says that cinemas will be allowed to reopen from May 17. This will mark the start of "Step 3" of the lifting of restrictions.

The roadmap states: "Indoor hospitality, entertainment venues such as cinemas and soft play areas, the rest of the accommodation sector, and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes will reopen."

Brighton Marina Cineworld

Cineworld outlets across the UK are also set to open in May, and bosses have revealed a deal has been struck with Warner Bros that gives the cinema chain exclusive rights to show films over streaming services.

This means Cineworld sites can show Warner Bros' films 31 days prior to them being made available on premium video on demand (PVOD) platforms for streaming at home.

Chief executive Mooky Greidinger said: "This agreement shows the studio’s commitment to the theatrical business and we see this agreement as an important milestone in our 100-year relationship with Warner Bros.”