Major cinema chain to shut one other department at present and 5 extra inside weeks
Movie fans have been left heartbroken as a number Cineworld sites open their doors for the final time, the closure comes after several tough years for the firm from Covid-19 to strikes
The first of six Cineworld branches closes today in a massive heartbreak to film fans across the country.
Today Cineworld says goodbye to its Weymouth site. Earlier this month the cinema chain announced the closure of five other sides in Castleford, Leigh, Middlesbrough, Northampton and Poole. The sites in Middlesbrough and Northampton are set to reopen as Odeon cinemas later this year.
These closures come after Cineworld had major reconstructing plans in September 2024 after four companies that form part of the UK arm of Cineworld told a High Court they were at risk of falling into administration.
The restructuring resulted in Cineworld renegotiating rent agreements at several of its branches. During this period several sites were shut down across the UK in Glasgow, Parkhead, Bedford, Loughborough, Yate and Swindon Regent Circus.
Prior to the restructuring, Cineworld had almost 100 cinema complexes in the UK. Cineworld has said the restructuring has unlocked a total of £40million in liquidity. The company plans to invest £35million in refurbishing existing cinemas.
Cineworld has experienced a difficult several years, facing forced closure during the Covid-19 pandemic and continued pressure from streaming services. Tom Smith KC, a barrister involved in the High Court case, has also said the chain was “severely and adversely impacted” by strikes by actors last year.
Javier Sotomayor, President of Cineworld international stated: “The successful completion of our Restructuring Plan achieved with crucial support of our landlords, protects thousands of jobs across the UK and provides us with the financial security to continue investing in delivering extraordinary experiences for our valued customers. This milestone sets the stage for a brighter future, enabling Cineworld to continue sharing joy in communities across the UK for years to come.”
The full list of Cineworld closures include:
- Weymouth – December 30
- Castleford – January 19
- Leigh – January 19
- Middlesbourgh – January 19
- Northampton – January 19
- Poole – January 19
