An Odeon Luxe cinema has shelved popcorn and movies to open as a Covid-19 mass vaccination centre.

The venue, part of the Lockmeadow entertainment hub in Barker Road, Maidstone, has joined up with private firm Pharmacy2U.

See how Maidstone cinema has been transformed to give covid jabs

Vaccinations began last Thursday, just days before the launch of another mass inoculation centre at Tonbridge’s Angel Centre leisure complex.

Patients will be contacted by the NHS via letter, text or email with information on how to book an appointment.

Tilak Raj, 64, was among those receiving their first dose this week.

Mr Raj, who lives in Minster on the Isle of Sheppey and works for Lenham Storage, is looking forward to being able to see his daughters more once he is able. One is a social worker and another works at Maidstone hospital.

He said: “I think that’s the only way to stop what’s going on, I think everybody should get it.”

Holly Hubbard, 35 and mum to a five and seven-year-old , has been shielding since the pandemic began because she is severely asthmatic.

She had a jab booked at Bluewater yesterday but cancelled it because of her concerns about driving in the snow. She was able to book an appointment at Lockmeadow today which was within walking distance of her home.

Mrs Hubbard, who normally works in a school kitchen said the past year had been “really hard”.

“My children, they have coped extremely well but it hasn’t been easy.”

“We have got to listen to the guidance and when we are allowed I’m looking forward to seeing family and my children seeing their friends.”

Helen Wiggins, 74, who lives in College Avenue, Maidstone, attended today with her daughter. She is looking forward to eventually being able to book a holiday to Cyprus where she visited twice with her husband before he passed away.

In the short term, however, she’s looking forward to getting her second jab.

All vaccinations will be administered by a qualified healthcare professional and patients will be required to return for their follow-up jab.

Phil Day, superintendent pharmacist at Pharmacy2U, said: “This is a vitally important service for people across the country, ensuring the most vulnerable in our communities get this vaccination and protect themselves against Covid-19.

“The NHS has been working above and beyond expectation for almost a year. We’ve been working hard to make sure we can offer these sites and to continue the incredible achievements of the NHS.”

Maidstone’s Odeon has been shut for much of the past 10 months because of successive lockdowns and Covid restrictions.

It briefly reopened in October, having been closed since March.

The time had been used to carry out a complete redesign, with the introduction of luxury seating, including 615 reclining seats.

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone