Horror at the movies

Cineworld to close 128 cinemas putting 5500 jobs at risk

CINEMA giant Cineworld is drawing up plans to shut all its screens across the UK and Ireland following the delay of the release of new Bond film No Time to Die until April.

The firm, which operates venues across Scotland, plans to close its doors completely until next year as a result of the pandemic.

Cineworld, the UK’s biggest and the world’s second biggest cinema operator, currently runs 128 cinemas across the UK and Ireland.

Bosses at the firm have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and UK Culture Secretary Olivier Dowden to say the industry has become “unviable” as a result of the postponement of big-budget films.

Cineworld reopened some of its cinemas in July after the spring lockdown.

However, plans to close all cinemas could be drawn up as soon as this week, putting 5500 jobs at risk. The original plan to release No Time to Die next month was hoped to give the industry the boost in sales it needed to continue.

On Friday, bosses announced the second delay – from next month until April 2.

Workers rights organisation Cineworld Action Group tweeted a response to the reports.

It stated: “There has been no consultation with staff whatsoever. “We have found out vital information about our jobs from the media throughout the pandemic. “Workers have been left out of discussions that should’ve included our voices. To find out you may no longer have a job from the media is awful.”

Cineworld said: “We can confirm we are considering the temporary closure of our UK and US cinemas, but a final decision has not yet been reached.

“Once a decision has been made we will update all staff and customers as soon as we can.”