Cinema closure will have ‘huge impact’ on the borough
FELTHAM BRANCH TEMPORARILY SHUTS, FUELLING FEARS OF MORE JOB LOSSES
THE temporary closure of Cineworld will have a “huge impact” on jobs locally, borough bosses fear.
The major cinema chain has a branch in Feltham, as well as plans to open a new multiplex in Hounslow town centre as part of the High Street Quarter regeneration project next year.
Cineworld chiefs announced it was temporarily shutting all its UK cinemas from Friday October 9 until further notice.
A Cineworld statement read: “This is not a decision we made lightly. We did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable re-openings of our cinemas and we are so very grateful for and proud of the hard work our employees put in to adapt our cinemas to the new protocols.
“We cannot underscore enough how difficult this decision was.
“As we have done to date, we will do everything we can to save livelihoods and the company – this is an extremely delicate and tricky balance.
“We continue to work with the Cinema Association to ensure we are lobbying government to support our employees and the industry, which has so much cultural significance.
“We will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate any future plans to resume operations once film studios are able to bring their pipeline of major movie releases back to the big screen.”
The cinema brand, which reportedly employs 5,500 people in the UK, said it was reviewing all
its roles, adding they will be contacting staff “once we know what this decision means to them”.
The move comes as a further blow to jobs in Hounslow which has already been heavily impacted by the crash of the aviation sector.
It is not yet known what Cineworld’s announcement could mean for its expected arrival to Hounslow town centre, as part of the planned development by the council in partnership with Barratt London and L&Q.
Hounslow Council has established its own recovery boards to address areas such as employment, health and wellbeing to respond to the impact of coronavirus on the borough.
Cllr Shantanu Rajawat, Hounslow’s finance boss, said: “Cineworld’s announcement is a devastating blow for thousands of workers. It’s particularly felt in Hounslow with the existing site at Feltham, which was due to undergo a major refurbishment, and the plans for a new multiplex in Hounslow town centre.
“Our thoughts are with those affected and we hope venues reopen and these projects progress as soon as possible.
“We are talking with Cineworld to understand the impact on those working at the Feltham cinema.
“The government’s failure to adequately protect the creative sector on which so many jobs rely, and which is such an important part of our cultural fabric and local economies, must be addressed.
“There needs to be an effective package of measures in place for venues and their employees.
“This also demonstrates the urgent need for targeted support for areas like Hounslow, which face an additional major economic hit due to the decline of the aviation industry.
“More than 40,000 local jobs are at risk and though we and our partners are developing a range of measures to support our residents and businesses over the tough months and years ahead, aviation communities across the country need national support. The government must act now.”
Brentford and Isleworth MP Ruth Cadbury backed the council’s position, adding: “The news today about Cineworld closures will have a huge impact on jobs locally and those who enjoy going to the Cineworld in Feltham.
“Cllr Shantanu Rajawat is absolutely right to call on the government to take action to support our creative industry, especially here in west London.”
A Barratt London spokesperson said: “We are continuing to have positive conversations with Cineworld to agree a way forward at Hounslow.”