A CINEMA chain with over 100 locations is shutting down one of its major branches in just hours.
The clock is ticking for movie lovers in London as Odeon Cinemas is shutting up shop at one of its most iconic locations for good.
Odeon’s Surrey Quays cinema will shut its doors for good today, leaving film fans scrambling for their last chance to catch a flick at this historic site.
The closure comes shortly after the popular cinema chain axed it’s Coven Garden site earlier this month.
The decision to close these popular venues comes as both locations are set to be redeveloped by their landlords.
In a statement, an Odeon spokesperson said: “ODEON confirms it will be closing its Covent Garden and Surrey Quays cinemas.
“This is due to redevelopment plans at both sites by the respective landlords.
“Supporting our local cinema teams is our number one priority, and we will be looking to secure jobs for as many of them as possible in one of our other local cinema locations.
“We would like to apologise to our guests for any inconvenience this will cause.”
The Covent Garden site has been earmarked for transformation into a “luxury” hotel and theatre complex.
There’s even speculation that Cirque du Soleil may take an interest in the space as a potential 400-seat venue.
One disheartened film fan shared their disappointment on social media about the Covent Garden closure : “Just popped into @ODEONCinemas and yes, it closes this Thursday.
“The site is being converted into a luxury hotel and theatre. Very sad.”
Odeon has already faced significant cuts in recent times.
Last year saw the closure of several cinemas including those in Magdalen Street, Oxfordshire, and Blackpool’s Rigby Road.
The company had promised to relocate staff and support affected employees.
As Odeon prepares to shut these two key locations, Cineworld is also in the spotlight with reports of up to 25 of its UK cinemas potentially closing as part of a major restructuring plan.
The chain is seeking to renegotiate rent agreements for about 50 of its locations, but if landlords and Cineworld can’t strike a deal, even more cinemas could face the axe.
The Sun understands that Cineworld’s restructuring plans will soon be formally communicated to creditors and landlords.
The process would involve the company working with advisers to explore options that could include a sale or further closures.
As the final showtimes approach, the atmosphere at Covent Garden and Surrey Quays is bittersweet.
Movie lovers and local residents alike will no doubt mourn the loss of these cherished spots in the city’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Meanwhile, its not all doom and gloom for cinema goers as we reveal four cash-saving hacks to cut the costs of going to the cinema.
Odeon confirmed it would close five of its branches in May last year.
Cineworld has revealed six UK sites it will close as it enters the first phase of a major restructuring.
Empire Cinema also closed multiple sites in 2023 after falling into administration in July of the same year.
The company made the decision following “a thorough assessment of all available options”.
The hospitality sector has been struggling too.
In April, family favourite restaurant chain Whitbread revealed it was set to shut more than 200 locations and axe 1,500 jobs.
It shared the plans in its full year results, saying it planned to convert 112 restaurants into hotel extensions while closing 126 “loss-making” venues.
Pub giant Wetherspoons has been closing boozers across the UK too, and Byron Burger fell into administration last year.
In March, pizza giant Papa Johns said it would close dozens of locations.
