ILKLEY Cinema will re-open next week with a screening of a film shot in the town.

The cinema welcomes back audiences on Monday, May 17 and will finally screen Say Your Prayers, a thriller starring Sir Derek Jacobi set in Ilkley Literature Festival. It was originally due last November but was postponed when cinemas closed in the second lockdown.

With a cast that also includes Motherland star Anna Maxwell Martin, Say Your Prayers is about two “radical Christian hitmen” who travel to Ilkley to assassinate an atheist writer, a festival guest. The film was originally due for release as ‘video on demand’ but when approached by Ilkley Cinema, Bradford City of Film director David Wilson worked with the British Board of Film Classification and Bradford Council’s licensing department on securing a 12A certificate for a cinema screening.

Georgia Milner at Ilkley Cinema said: “We are so excited to welcome everyone back. Leading our return is Nomadland the intimate road movie turned Oscar sensation, Say Your Prayers, the highly anticipated British comedy set in our very own Ilkley and the critically acclaimed Ammonite. Family favourite Kids Club returns with a new Disney princess, Raya and the Last Dragon.

“We’re also taking on bookings for our new outdoor patio. We’ve added parasols and self-operated heaters so our customers can relax with drinks and mezze-style sharing platters.”

Keighley Picture House will also re-open on May 17. Owner Charles Morris said: “We’ve been shut for over a year, except for six days in October. But finally we’re reopening, with Peter Rabbit 2 and Nomadland. We’ve been working hard to get the cinema ready - seats and carpets have been cleaned and the outside is being repainted. Initially we may have to rope-off some seats for social distancing and we’re encouraging people to book on our website. We expect masks will be necessary on entry, but can be taken off once people are seated.”

He added: “The cinema really is the only place to see films and we have an impressive line-up during coming weeks. Disney’s new Cruella will be arriving soon.”

The Light Cinema Bradford plans to re-open on May 28 and, in line with Test and Trace rules, will gather contact details of customers over 16. The opening programme includes Godzilla Vs Kong, Peter Rabbit 2, Sound of Metal, Nomadland and a 40th anniversary screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark. Chief executive James Morris said: “We can’t wait to get back to offering the ultimate big screen experience in a safe and welcoming environment.”