UK cinemas are open for free today but there's only one showing

Some UK cinemas will be open for free today but under one condition.

A few of the UK's biggest cinema chains have made the decision to reschedule their screening programme and only show one thing in their theatres today (19 September).

Several theatres will be closing today (19 September) for the Queen's state funeral.

Others, however, have made the decision to keep their doors open for a programme schedule of just one screening.

Following the news that today (19 September) was confirmed as a bank holiday, some of the popular cinema chains alerted viewers that they would be shut.

These include the likes of Cineworld, Odeon and Showcase.

Cineworld said on Twitter: "Out of respect to HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family, all of our UK cinemas will be closed on Monday 19th September, the day of the state funeral."

However, others - such as Curzon and Arc - have opted to stay open and screen the funeral for free.

Vue, meanwhile, will also be screening the day's events, but at a limited number of its cinemas.

Vue said on their website: "We will be screening the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in selected UK venues on Monday, 19 September, live from 10am.

"Seats will be free of charge and our retail offering on this day will be limited to complimentary bottled water during the broadcast, with no other snacks or drinks available for purchase. On this day we will not be showing our normal programme of films."

Curzon also said on their website: "From 11am on Monday, we will be broadcasting the Queen's State Funeral live at all Curzon venues for guests to pay their respects to the late monarch.

"Tickets are free to book, and you will be able to purchase food and drink as normal at the cinema."

Arc explained that although it will be screening the state funeral for free, pre-booking is essential to guarantee a seat.

"We have to decided to screen Her Majesty The Queen’s State Funeral on Bank Holiday Monday 19th September at 11am," they wrote on social media.

"This is a free event but pre-booking your seat is essential. There will be no other shows taking place while the funeral is broadcast."

Phil Clapp, chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, said: "While we have shared with our members official guidance which suggests that there is no requirement to close, clearly all UK cinema operators are sensitive to the public mood and responding accordingly at what is a very sad time for many across the country."

The Queen's funeral is set to take place in Westminster Abbey at 11am today (19 September) followed by a a two-minute silence to be observed in the Abbey, and throughout the United Kingdom.