Cineworld is closing two cinemas today - see if your local is going

26 November 2023 , 07:00

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Cineworld is closing another two sites today (Image: Getty Images)

Cineworld is closing two of its branches today, in a huge blow for movie fans.

The cinema chain is shutting its Runcorn site in Cheshire, which is located in Trident Retail Park. It means customers will now need to travel 10 miles to visit their next nearest cinema.

Cineworld is also closing its cinema in Hengrove Leisure Park, South Bristol, today. Developers have planning permission to demolish the cinema and the bingo venue next door, and build 350 new homes there and on the car park of the Leisure Park.

Cineworld customers who are on the mailing list for the Runcorn branch were told of the news by email. The email read: “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. We hope to see you at one of our nearby cinemas soon, including Speke, Warrington, Broughton or St Helens.”

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Customers who use the Bristol Cineworld were instructed by the cinema chain to visit its branches in Weston-super-Mare and Cineworld Yate instead. Cinema-goers have expressed their sadness over the closures.

Writing on Facebook, one person said: "It’s a sad day. A lovely cinema with a fantastic team." Another person messaged: "Gutted for all the staff that made it such a great place to watch movies. Got our first Unlimited cards back in 2014 there and still members today."

A third wrote: "I’m really sad to see this, I’ve been coming here for years and as an Unlimited card member. Such a shame for the staff and one less place for local people to go to." A fourth said: "So, so sad about this. My happy place for many years."

Cineworld officially filed for administration in July but its UK cinemas remain open as normal. It comes after the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US last year due to its debts and low footfall.

It exited the Chapter 11 bankruptcy this summer. Cineworld also owns other cinema brands including Regal, Cinema City, and Picturehouse.

Levi Winchester