The long serving manager at Felixstowe Palace cinema and bingo hall has urged the government not to close their 'lifeline' to lonely customers.

Vivienne Warren fears Boris Johnson will order stricter measures to combat the coronavirus and while it is likely to be mainly in the norther towns, increased confirmed Covid-19 cases in East Suffolk, could see localised lockdowns being extended.

However, Vivienne has insisted the protocols brought in at The Palace, and the importance of the social interaction with their customers means another closure would be unnecessary.

"I'm really hoping that if there does have to be more measures, and its seems likely there does, then I hope it is done in the right areas," said Vivienne.

"We are lucky here in Suffolk that our rates very low, although I do appreciate their have been some local case and it is going back up slightly, but they should only target those areas where they really need to.

"Some of our customers are so old they may not service another lockdown."

Customers are required to check in, either using the NHS QR code, or signing in, having their temperature checked using a specialist no-touch thermometer, then follow clear social distancing protocols, which includes a one way system.

The booking system ensures when seats are booked, it automatically keeps a two seat gap either side, and there will be no one in front or behind you, while 'silhouettes' show where other seats can not be used.

The measures has meant the cinema and bingo hall are operating at almost one third of its usual capacity but Vivienne outlined what the Palace gives to its users.

She said: "It is not just about the business or making money for us. For some people it is totally their lifeline. There are people who have lost their husbands, lost their wives, are living on their own and have no one else.

"They struggle, so by coming here we know they are warm, fed, clean and dry and have human contact.

"We have a responsibility because a manager if someone come unstuck in here, it is my fault. I'm experienced and I naturally are make instructions from the owner, but we are here to ensure the safety of our customers, and our staff."

The new measures at the Palace are being widely accepted and Vivienne makes no apologies for the strict enforcement to ensure long term survival.

She said: "We are used to all sitting close to each other, packing the screens upstairs being sociable and chatting to each other, but now we are having to change habits of a lifetime.

"You can understand very now and again someone getting up and forgetting to put their mask on but we have quiet word and they are fine. Everyone one is doing what they are supposed to do because they do not want us to close either."

The lockdown between March and July underlines the importance of the hall to many people and Vivienne, who has worked at the Place since it opened 23 years ago, cites and example of a 95-year-old man, who had not been out at all from the time the lockdown began and the Place reopened, then came four times in a week.

Like another 40 regulars, the gentleman has enjoyed free lunches, including three course roast dinners on a Friday, all served to their tables in the bingo hall.

Vivienne said: "Since we have been back in the middle of July we have provided free lunches every day, and will run through until the end of October.

"We have a lot of old people coming here for bingo who would not cook a hot meal for themselves at lunch time so we are vital part of the community.

"Then there is the mental health aspect. They get to see their friends, if they are not in the same bubble they have to put their masks on and then they can talk to each other. They are fantastic and they are so grateful."

The prime minister is expected to make his announcement about a new three tier lockdown system, and which areas will be affected, at 3.30pm this afternoon.

• Read our UP CLOSE feature with Vivienne tomorrow as she talks about her 43 years in the industry, her thoughts on the cinema big boys, and her hopes for the future at the Palace.