Cinema Chain Puts On 18+ Only Viewings of Films!!!

THE worse thing about going to see some films in resent years is to have a child, or some other inconsiderate cinema goers disrupting your viewing of the film you had paid good money to see. No matter if it was a PG or a U, screaming kids and other annoying things like people dashing in and out to get food and drink, etc. can ruin any film. So Vue Cinemas, in response to requests, has come up with, what we think is a fantastic idea… A new screening system called o18. We were invited to the first ever special Over 18's screening at Southport's Vue Cinema on Sunday, 9 November 2008 to experience this for our selves. The film was the new 007 'Quantum of Solace'. The film is a good action packed film and by not having any disruptions, from popcorn munching to children making silly comments, it was a very enjoyable experience indeed. It made it for more like being at home, but with a bigger screen and better sound!  For film critics and film lovers, this makes a truly pleasurable experience for you can get into the film without disturbances taking your concentration on the plot and the action…. We feel that this will be fantastic for other reasons as well… Suppose you want to see the latest Disney's 'Ice Age 3' when it comes out… there is nothing worse than the feeling of being the oldest in the room and having kids all around you… With this new system you will be able to relax and enjoy it far more…

"We do not have a problem with unruly children, but we simply responding to requests from cinema goers for Over 18 screenings. We think there will be a high demand for this service. Our research shows that the majority of disturbances in cinemas are caused by under 18's, so we decided to put these screenings on. The o18 Screenings will be set for a large range of films, regardless of the film's classification certificate. On these screenings, anyone causing a disturbance will be ejected from the screening and a member of staff will sit-in all of the o18 screenings to enforce this. We do monitor all screens as standard, but the o18 screening will have a dedicated member of staff at all points over the screening. Some sites will see a small additional charge being applied, only when necessary, to cover the running costs of the extra staff member. If you are under 18, do not worry, we will still have the same film running for you to see on another screen! This is only in the trial stage at this point, so we might look at having a similar screening when under 18's can experience the same service, when they are accompanied by an adult." The manager of Vue Southport told us.

This will be a thing of the past, according to Vue Cinemas, as they have now introduced a new screening that will run in conjunction with normal screenings…

We look forward to seeing how this idea works over the next few months.

We feel it will be a very big hit, in more ways than one!

Please email us your views and feelings about these new o18 screenings to news24@southportreporter.com.

Major Road Work - Update!

THIS is the latest information about major road works form the Highways Agency covering the major roads in South Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire - 7 days beginning w/b Monday, 10 November 2008.

NEW SCHEMES

M57 = At Junctions 1 and 2 (junction improvements) - round the clock hard shoulder closures in both directions; total carriageway closures in both directions overnight between 21:00hrs and 06:00hrs. Scheme continues into February 2009.

M61 = Junction 9 at Walton Summit (essential maintenance) - east and west links to M65 (at junction 2) closed overnight between 22:00hrs Friday night and 05:00hrs Saturday morning 14 November and 15 November 2008.

M62 (Merseyside) = Junctions 6-7 at Tarbock Island (junction improvements) - hard shoulder closure with narrow lanes around the the clock. Scheme continues into February 2009.

M65 = Junction 2 at Walton Summit (essential maintenance) - westbound access slip closed overnight between 22:00hrs Friday night and 05:00hrs Saturday morning 14 November and 15 November 2008.

Junction 5 near Lower Darwen (essential maintenance) - westbound exit slip closed overnight between 22:00hrs Friday night and 05:00hrs Saturday morning 14 November and 15 November 2008.

M66 = Junction 3 at Heywood (resurfacing work off motorway network). Northbound access and exit slips total overnight closures 22:00hrs and 05:00hrs between Monday, 10 November and Friday, 14 November 2008.

ONGOING SCHEMES

M56 = Junctions 15 to 16 (Deeside Park Junction Improvement Scheme) - Daiy and various lane closures in both directions between 09:00hrs and 17:00hrs. Scheme continues into December 2008.

Junction 7 at Bowdon View (for reinstatement of third lane) - Daily and various lane closures at various times in both directions between 09:00hrs and 17:00hrs. Scheme continues into January 2009.

M6 (Cheshire) = Junction 18 at Holmes Chapel (essential maintenance) - closure of southbound slip road overnight for several weeks between 22:00hrs and 05:00hrs from Monday, 3 November 2008.

M60 = Junction 11 at Barton (essential maintenance) - overnight closure of clockwise access slip for several weeks between 22:00hrs and 05:00hrs from Tuesday, 4 November 2008.

M61 = Junctions 3 to 6, Kearsley to Middlebrook (condition surveys) - Daily hardshoulder closures ands hard shoulder and lane one closures overnight.

M62 (Greater Manchester) = Junction 20 at Rochdale (essential maintenance) - overnight closure of westbound access slip for several weeks between 22:00hrs and 05:00hrs, this work stated on Monday, 3 November 2008.

M62 (Merseyside) = Junction 6 at Tarbock Island (junction improvement). Total overnight closure of eastbound access slip. Scheme continues into February 2009.

A550 = Shotwick Junction to Welsh Border (Deeside Park Junction Improvement Scheme) - Daily and various lane closures in both directions between 09:00hrs and 17:00hrs. Scheme continues into December 2008.

A5117 = Dunkirk Roundabout to Shotwick Junction ((Deeside Park Junction Improvement Scheme) - Daily and various lane closures in both directions between 09:00hrs and 17:00hrs. Scheme continues into December 2008.

A5036 = Crosby Road Junction to Switch Island (resurfacing works) - lane one closures daytime and lane closures overnight - possible total carriageway closures.

New Readers Offers!

THE latest offer for our readers is through the Latin Lounge on Post Office Ave.  We will very shortly be issuing out Loyalty Cards when our staff are out and about.  The offer give the user the 10th glass absolutely free!   So keep any eye out.   Also coming soon will be an Readers Offers Page...