BIGGER PICTURE
But now locals will have to travel 10 miles to catch the newest movies
A TOWN in Britain has been dealt a “huge blow” as a Cineworld branch has announced it's closing.
Movie lovers in Runcorn will now have to travel around 10 miles to visit the closest cinema.
The fateful message was sent to customers who were on the mailing list of the Trident Retail Park Cineworld in Runcorn who were told the branch was finishing up.
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 national Covid-19 lockdowns hit it hard.
After not opening up straight away a resident-led campaign caused enough attention to force the owners hand and open it up.
Runcorn resident and Cineworld customer Ian McIntyre, wasn’t happy when he checked his emails and saw the upsetting message.
He said: “It’s another disappointing blow for the people of Runcorn. My wife and I are fans of renowned composer André Rieu who livestreams his concerts and we have been to Cineworld Runcorn to enjoy his music in the past.
“I recently took my 16-year-old granddaughter there to see a Taylor Swift concert movie. She absolutely loved it and was dancing in the aisles.
"Cineworld Group went into administration over the summer and I suspect they are closing the poorer performing cinemas.”
Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury said the cinema closing would be a "huge blow" to those employed there and for 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.”
Over 100 Cineworld cinemas are apparently at risk after the huge chain issued an update recently following its bankruptcy filing last autumn.
Cineworld said it had been approached by a "number" of potential suitors.
But none of them are willing to pay in cash to buy the whole business which is currently £5billion in debt.
This puts the future of all 129 UK and Irish cinemas at risk.
For now, the chain's screens remain fully operational and open as usual.
Earlier this year, a popular Cineworld cinema in Hengrove Leisure Park, South Bristol, was set to be demolished to make way for a housing estate.
To make matters worse for locals, this is also the last standing cinema in the area - and it will be gone 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.