Drive-in cinema Popcorn Movies is coming to Ardleigh showground

Spot On, based in Halstead Road, Colchester, provides stage hands to big music events across the country.

During the summer they would normally be helping put on festivals such as Reading and V Festival and assisting the O2 and Wembley arenas in hosting big name stars.

But when the pandemic hit their work dried up.

With it unknown when live events can resume Emma Asensio and husband Adi Clarke decided it was time to diversify.

The trio set up Popcorn Movies to offer a drive-in cinema experience at the Ardleigh Showground.

It will launch with 20 movies across the August bank holiday weekend.

Highlights include Finding Nemo, Frozen 2, The Greatest Showman, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Pulp Fiction.

Emma said: “We knew music events weren’t going to come back soon so we needed to think what we could do.

“All the people we had working for us no longer had a job. We knew we needed to diversify to help our community.

“The people working for us our local guys who would travel into London.

“We had the idea in the middle of May. Lockdown was easing but the music industry wasn’t coming back for some time. We thought we should give this a go.”

After coming up with the idea the team contacted the farmer who owns the land.

The pop-up cinema will boast a 9.5m LED screen, social distanced parking and food for sale.

Emma said: “It will be set up for coronavirus and social distancing.

“When cars drive in there will be three to four metres before the next car. If people want to get out of their car they are not next to another family.

“We wanted to be able to create a bit of different experience. Some other drive-in screens are inflatable and the quality isn’t that good.

“There will be festoon lights and people will be able to order food to their car.

“If it is a success, even if it only breaks even, people will have had a wonderful time."

Tickets are £30 per car and and can be booked in advance at www.popcornmovies.co.uk.