TWO cinemas in Oxford city centre are being refurbished this month and next at a cost of £500,000.

Odeon, which runs the cinemas in Magdalen Street and George Street, is spending the cash on new seats and revamping the cinemas’ facilities and interiors.

The two-screen cinema in Magdalen Street closed on Monday, and will not reopen for screenings until Friday, May 28.

Work at six-screen George Street cinema will begin on Bank Holiday Monday, May 31, although it will remain open to visitors throughout its own refurbishment.

Phil Henstridge, general manager at both cinemas, said: “We're always looking for ways to provide the ultimate cinema experience for our guests.

“The refurbishments demonstrate Odeon’s commitment to investment within the local community and we can’t wait to see the response from our guests to the revamp in both Oxford cinemas.”