A MAJOR cinema chain “living on borrowed” time is closing in another location within days.
Cineworld is closing a much-loved branch this weekend and customers are devastated.
1
Movie lovers in Runcorn will soon have to travel around 10 miles to visit the closest cinema.
The screen will shut for good on Sunday, November 26 meaning locals have just five days left to catch a movie in the locality.
It comes after Cineworld’s Runcorn Facebook page reminded customers that the cinema is closing within days.
The post read: “Just 7 days to go until we close…
Read more in money
“What Films are you planning to watch here at #cineworldruncorn during our last week of being open?”
In response to the reminder, one loyal customer said: “Yet again Runcorn loses out.
“So sorry about the lovely staff losing their jobs. Thank you.”
Another said: “That sucks. Many many fond memories of Cineworld Runcorn.
Most read in Money
“I was there when it first opened around 20 years ago.”
But others said the chain’s cinema was “living on borrowed time.”
It comes less than a month after customers on the mailing list of the Trident Retail Park Cineworld were told the closure.
In an email to customers, Cineworld, who have 103 other cinemas, said: “After years of providing movie-lovers in Runcorn with a place to feel more, we have made the difficult decision to close Cineworld Runcorn.
“The cinema will remain open until November 26, showing a wide range of film releases.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our movie-loving customers who have chosen to visit Cineworld Runcorn over the years.”
They ended the sad statement saying that people could still visit Cineworld but they’d have to travel.
They continued: “We hope to see you at one of our nearby cinemas soon, including Speke, Warrington, Broughton or St Helens.”
The Runcorn cinema was in danger of permanently closing after the Covid-19 lockdowns hit it hard.
After not opening back up straight away a resident-led campaign caused enough attention to force the owner’s hand.
Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury previously said that the cinema’s closure would be a “huge blow” to those employed and to local families.
He said: “Losing this cinema will be a huge blow not only for those employed there but for local families who enjoy going there and other businesses that benefit from the footfall it drives.
“I would lay down the gauntlet to other cinema operators in challenging them to consider taking on the unit.
“As Member of Parliament for the area, I would be more than happy to assist in any way I can to make that happen.”
Another popular Cineworld cinema is to close in Hengrove Leisure Park, South Bristol.
The venue is set to be demolished to make way for a housing estate.
The cinema will also close forever on November 26.
Developers AEW have permission to build 350 new homes in place of both the Cineworld multiplex and the bingo hall beside it, as reported by BristolLive.
Cineworld filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US last year due to giant debts and loss of revenue.
It then emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy after nearly 11 months on August 1 and came out with lower debt and a new slate of management and board.
But at the same time, Cineworld’s UK arm filed for administration.
The group also scrapped plans to sell its businesses outside the UK, US and Ireland after potential bidders failed to meet the value desired by its lenders.
For now, the chain’s screens remain fully operational and open as usual.
It comes after cinema chain Odeon closed five of its branches in June.
While Empire Cinemas closed multiple sites after falling into administration last month.
The company made its decision following “a thorough assessment of all available options”.
