Nightflix Drive-in Cinema, UK’s largest drive-in cinema operator, is bringing its Drive-in Festival to Newark Showground this summer

Festivals and outdoor events may be being cancelled across the country, but one company has come up with a way to beat the coronavirus lockdown and allow people to enjoy safely a music festival.

Nightflix Drive-in Cinema, the UK’s largest drive-in cinema operator, is bringing its Drive-in Festival to Newark Showground this summer.

It will provide ten nights of entertainment from some of the country’s top musical tribute acts.

For cinema enthusiasts, the company will also be hosting regular drive-in cinema events at the showground from July, showing new-release films.

The music festival takes place every evening from July 1 to 10.

Promoters say visitors can soak up a festival atmosphere and street food takeaways ­— all to be enjoyed from the comfort and safety of attendee’s vehicles, with superb in-car sound.

The UK’s first drive-in festival consists of live tribute acts on a huge festival stage recreating performances of Take That, Elton John, Billy Joel, Abba, The Killers and Elvis along with jaw-dropping light displays.

Steve Marson from the Nightflix team said “We are delighted to be in a position where we can offer a safe form of entertainment to the public while practising social distancing.

“The safety of our visitors and event crew is essential to us. We are putting procedures in place following government advice to make sure all our staff are wearing the correct PPE and that guests stay within their vehicles as much as possible.

“Any physical movement around the site must comply with the two-metre social distancing guidelines.’’

The Drive-in Festival launches on Wednesday, July 1, with Take That tribute act Rule The World.

They are followed by Elton John tribute Kevin Clay on July 2, and Abba tribute Sensation on July 3.

The Kopycat Killers are on Saturday, July 4, with Elvis tribute Tony Skingle the following day.

Tom Seals, as Bill Joel, performs on July 9, before the festival is rounded off on Friday, July 10, with another performance by Sensation.

All performances start at 5pm.

Nightflix say they intend to stay in Newark for some time.

Steve said: “We are super excited to give Newark and the surrounding areas something new to enjoy, not only at a time where social distancing has taken over our lives but also for future events.

“Drive-in cinemas have been popping up all over the world over the last few months and the Nightflix outfit is one of only a few drive-ins that currently operate in the UK.”

Newark Showground’s sales and marketing manager Paul Sparks said: “Nightflix’s drive-in plans for the coming months bring unique opportunities for people in and around Newark to enjoy high quality entertainment in a safe ­— and quite special ­— environment.

“We can’t wait to see their programme unfold.”

Nightflix started operations at the Hop Farm in Kent in 2019 and moved to Tollgate Shopping Centre in Essex for Christmas and the new year.

Since then, they have focused on building resources, training teams and coming into the 2020 summer season ready to handle multiple sites fully equipped with giant screens and projectors capable of delivering latest cinema releases.

Tickets and regular updates available through its Facebook page @nightflixUK or www.nightflix.co.uk