Even more Cineworld cinemas are set to close as the company carries out a major restructuring plan.
The British company is the world’s second-largest cinema chain after the American movie chain AMC Theaters.
But crippled by the coronavirus pandemic and weighed by massive debt, Cineworld closed five branches in October – and will be closing more soon.
Glasgow Parkhead, Bedford and Swindon Regent Circus branches will all screened their last movies in October – but luckily for those in Hinckley, Leicestershire, the branch is going to stay open.
But Cineworld announced six more sites are going to close down for good after landlords chose to reclaim their properties.
These include Castleford, Leigh, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Poole and Weymouth, though Cineworld bosses did not confirm when these branches will close.
Cinemas across the world have faced immense financial hardship as streaming services become more popular and the pandemic led to countless closures.
In 2020 there were 879 cinemas in the UK, Now there are only 825, according to the UK Cinema Association.
Film fans said they were really upset at the news that their local Cineworld won’t be popping popcorn anytime soon.
‘I’m absolutely devastated to hear Cineworld Bedford is closing down,’ Samantha Dale Fox wrote on X.
‘I saw my first ever film there and since I moved back I visit weekly. I have so many wonderful memories there and the staff are always so friendly.
‘I better make my last visit one to remember.’
Another user, named Paul, wrote: ‘It has been my cinema of choice since it opened, so I’m gutted to see it go.
‘Thoughts are with the staff, who quite frankly have just been amazing over the years and a huge thank you to them for the hard work over the years.’
The decision to close the cinemas comes as part of a major restructuring plan to keep the company’s head above water.
A judge gave the go-ahead for £16 million to be injected into the four companies that form Cineworld’s business – Cine-UK Ltd, Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, Cineworld Cinema Properties Ltd and Cineworld Estates Ltd in September.
They obtained the cash from their parent company and an extra £35 million is expected to be made available.
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