Cineworld WILL temporarily close all 127 of its cinemas across the UK – including the Isle of Wight – from Thursday, it has been announced.
Rumours of a mothballing surfaced over the weekend with an indication that the nationwide cinema chain would close for the winter months.
Now, Cineworld has confirmed that the doors will be closing on Thursday 8th October – but no reopening date has been given. It’s thought that the cinemas will re-open in time for the release of ‘No Time to Die’ in April 2021.
Over 5,500 jobs are on the line across the country, with a further 40,000 jobs at risk in the US as Regal cinemas are closed too.
Today’s news has not made clear what the situation means for members who pay a monthly subscription.
The only other cinema on the Isle of Wight is Commodore Cinema in Ryde, operated by the independent Leo Leisure.
In a statement, Chief executive Mooky Greidinger has said:
“This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable reopenings in all of our markets – including meeting, and often exceeding, local health and safety guidelines in our theatres and working constructively with regulators and industry bodies to restore public confidence in our industry.
Article continues below this advertisement “We are especially grateful for and proud of the hard work our employees put in to adapt our theatres to the new protocols and cannot underscore enough how difficult this decision was.
“Cineworld will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate any future plans to resume operations in these markets at the appropriate time, when key markets have more concrete guidance on their reopening status and, in turn, studios are able to bring their pipeline of major releases back to the big screen.”
Was a dying business anyway, just had its demise speeded up a little tis all.
The fuss of turning out, paying parking, on a cold Winter day, to sit amongst others for a couple of short hours was never really worthwhile now we have netflicks etc.
Another brown filed site ripe for more social housing, the ONLY game in town now.
Most films are made to be seen on the big screen, you really need the immersive experience to enjoy them properly. Cinema is the best place for that. It makes an occasion.
It always make me smile to see someone peering at a big film on a phone.
Are you the Manager?
Just a make believe hero worshiper as little else in life I would wager
Just been on the news about this they reckon their closing them down for at least 6 months sad all those peoples jobs at risk
What are you suggesting with the chastity belt comment, Ozz?
YOU know, as does all. Don’t come it with me; boy. The press might be cowed and no longer allowed to print the truth, but the public know.