Sadness as cinema is to close until next year

FORMER staff from Burton’s Cineworld have reacted with sadness that the chain has announced a temporary long-term closure of all its cinemas.

The cinema, which was one of the first firms to open in Middleway Park, in Guild Street, in 2000, has been a major attraction in Burton for 20 years, employing hundreds of people during that time.

Now, news that the chain will close all its cinemas across the UK and the US until next year has sent shockwaves among film fans.

It has also put 5,500 jobs in the UK at risk with employees being offering redundancy and the hope they are offered their old jobs back next year when the venues reopen.

The cinema only reopened on July 31 this year following the coronavirus pandemic, which forced it to close.

Rob Finch, who was one of the original staff members when Burton Cineworld opened 20 years ago, said: “It’s served the town well over the years and has been a great source of entertainment.

“It’s been ever present in opening throughout events that have affected the town such as floods and the like so it’s especially sad to see it close like this.

“I’m not an active film goer personally but I hold the memories of working there and the lifelong friends I made dear to my heart.

“I’m really feeling it for all the staff and my former colleagues that still work there and hope for a positive resolution.”

Another former employee, Kyle Hall, said: “I think it’s only a matter of time until cinema fails unfortunately.

“Piracy and streaming from the comfort of your own home has become much more enticing to many.

“I enjoy being sat at home but seeing big blockbusters with my small sound system isn’t the same as being sat in a cinema. I have become selective of what I go and see but if it does go, I’ll miss it.”

Burton MP Kate Griffiths said: “The temporary closure of Cineworld, including its Burton site, is incredibly sad and worrying for all staff members affected by this decision.

“I know many constituents have been eager for cinemas and theatres to return but the Government has made support available for the entertainment sector to help them through this difficult period.

“I stand ready to work with other local representatives to ensure staff impacted by this are properly supported and not left without hope.”

Councillor Ron Clarke, who represents Burton Town on Staffordshire County Council, said: “I think it is going to be extremely disappointing for many people. People are looking for a bit of respite and will want to go to the cinema for a few hours to forget.

“If people adhere to the rules we can get everything back to normal quickly.”

Cineworld has confirmed its temporary closure plans after big film studios started to delay their major film releases, such as the latest James Bond starring Daniel Craig, to wait for better audiences.

The premiere of James Bond film No Time To Die has been postponed twice and is now due for release in April 2021.

Cineworld chief executive Mooky Greidinger said the firm had done, “everything in our power to support safe and sustainable reopenings in all of our markets” to restore public confidence in the cinema industry.

Burton’s cinema will close on Thursday.

Odeon has also been approached for a comment on when its cinema in Swadlincote will reopen.