Screenfields returns this week
Manchester city centre's free open air cinema at Spinningfields returns next Thursday evening, following the screening of the Royal wedding this Friday.
Screenfields will kick off this year's film festival with 1980s classic Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, on Thursday 5 May at 8.30pm.
Screenfields will show a mix of classics, comedies, and drama every Thursday evening until September.
Spinningfields Management Company, the organisation set up by Allied London responsible for all aspects of estate management at Spinningfields, including security, cleaning, events, lighting, signage and maintenance, claims last year's Screenfields attracted over 100,000 people between May and September.
This was an increase of nearly 40,000 film-goers compared to 2009.
Fran Goddard, head of communications and events, said: "We have a really varied programme of film and sporting events this summer and our outdoor bar and barbeque makes Screenfields the perfect place to enjoy lazy summer nights. This year we have also used our Facebook and Twitter accounts to find out what films the people of Manchester would like to see on the screen and due to the popularity of Dirty Dancing last year we have decided to show this again."
Cocktail bar The Alchemist will be supplying an outdoor bar, while American barbecue food retailer Southern 11 is providing a gourmet barbeque.
This year's films include other 1980s classics such as Ghostbusters and The Goonies, with more recent releases such as The Social Network also being shown on the 16.5 ft x 10 ft screen located in Hardman Square, Spinningfields.
This summer's biggest sporting events including Wimbledon, Formula One and The Open will also be shown.
The family film club, showing kids films every Saturday morning at 11am is set to continue over the school summer holidays beginning with Toy Story 3 on Saturday 23 July.
Deckchairs and picnic blankets will be available for hire from £2, on a first come first serve basis, and a single screening will cost £2 each.
A Screenfields season ticket, allowing entry to 18 weeks of cinema screenings, is also available for £9.99.
Due to the screen being outdoors, Spinningfields Management Company is advising people to dress appropriately for Manchester weather.
