News Lockmeadow’s ODEON Luxe transforms into vaccination centre
The ODEON Luxe Cinema at Lockmeadow Maidstone will be reopening its doors to become a Covid-19 vaccination location for residents of the town.
Vaccinations started today - Thursday 4 February and will be open for 90 days. The vaccination centre is available for local residents of Maidstone who will be contacted by the NHS and notified of a valid appointment time.
Appointments at the Lockmeadow centre for the first two days are already fully booked and initial vaccine supplies allocated. Initially, the centre is scheduled to be open until Saturday 6 February and will temporarily close until Wednesday 10 February to allow the team to take a short break and replenish vaccination supplies for future appointments.
Pharmacy2U will be the NHS provider issuing the vaccines which is aiming to be operating seven days a week from 8am – 8pm.
Visiting patients are asked to use the front door of Lockmeadow which will be the only access for vaccinations. The entrance will be clearly signposted and a one-way system will be marshalled by Pharmacy2U and ODEON staff.
Patients will be able to park free of charge outside David Lloyd’s fitness centre and use the underground car park which will be clearly signposted from Barker Road. They are advised to park here only as behind Lockmeadow will be paid-for parking with no access via the back doors to Lockmeadow.
Cllr Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council said:
“As landlords of the Lockmeadow complex we are delighted to be able to support the national vaccination programme. The facility at the ODEON will help enormously in providing a service to those people who are in the town centre and perhaps don’t have access to transport to go further afield to get their jab.”
To help with the vaccination roll-out at Lockmeadow, the cinema team has been brought back in from furlough. ODEON Area Manager Ania Karnas added:
“The team is back and buzzing to be doing something so rewarding that contributes to our community’s wellbeing. The team are fully trained to provide customer service, as well as Covid-19 safety measures and we are pleased that they can put their skills to good use by helping the most vulnerable members of the community to comfortably get their vaccine and feel at ease.“We will be maintaining the highest possible safety measures, including managing social distancing, rigorous cleaning, sanitisation schedules and a clear path for all getting to the vaccine. Along with the Pharmacy2U staff, we will be helping patients through the process of vaccination and keeping them safe, secure and comfortable in the building. We have an organised schedule and pathway to ensure that there will be minimal contact and minimal time within the building, so that those getting vaccinated should not be in the building for more than 20 minutes.”
The vaccination location at Lockmeadow is currently booked for 90 days. As patients enter the centre, they will be directed up the escalators for four gazebos in the ODEON foyer area with pharmacists and nurses administering the vaccinations. Patients will then have the option to wait in the recovery area by Hollywood Bowl, or in their cars before returning home.