Following the sudden closure of Cineworld, accounts tell of water pouring into a “jam-packed” cinema mid-film.

Cineworld Shaw Ridge cancelled all films and announced it would be closed indefinitely on Sunday, November 25, before reopening again the next day.

The cinema said it was due to the impact of Storm Bert, as customers have given accounts of the dramatic incident.

One reader contacted the paper to say that there were only five seats free at a 2.30pm screening of Wicked on Saturday 23. 

READ MORE: Traffic chaos as town left underwater by floods

She said: “Just five minutes into the film, there was a sudden loud bang as part of the roof collapsed onto the floor. Thankfully, no one was injured. 

“After a member of the audience located the manager, he announced that the film would be cancelled, and we were instructed to leave the screening. 

“The manager said the incident was due to heavy rain and assured us that we would be issued free tickets to return.”

A second person, also at Wicked, said: "We were 10 minutes into Wicked when we got told the show was cancelled. A small part of the ceiling collapsed and water was running in like a tap.”

A third added: “I was in Screen 4 at around 3pm on Saturday when a part of the ceiling fell down into the aisle at the back and water started splashing through the hole.

READ MORE: Pictures show flooding near 'waterside' pub in Swindon

“I believe some people got wet, and it was a shock, but no one got hurt. I was too far away to be sure. The Cineworld staff responded immediately.

“They communicated the situation straight away and emptied the cinema, telling us to wait in the foyer.

“When we were all out they organised us into two groups and gave us ticket vouchers as we left. I thought the staff responded really well on safety and customer service.

“Some people were able to book for a later showing in a different screen.

They described scaffolding being up at the front of the cinema and “rolls of what looks like roofing felt behind the construction barriers”.

“At the time Screen 4 was jam-packed for a showing of Wicked and many other showings were similar.”

Cineworld has been approached for comment.

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