CRISIS-HIT cinemas face “a crucial six months” after they open in two weeks’ time, experts have said.
Cash taken at box offices fell by £1billion last year as a result of the Covid pandemic.
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But it is not all bad news for the nation’s 843 cinemas – as a backlog of great films are expected to explode on to our screens over the summer.
They include the long-awaited James Bond movie No Time To Die, Oscar-winner Nomadland and the Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
To help drag the venues back from the brink, cinema bosses are offering two-for-one films, bigger seats, more 3D screens and discounts on food and drink.
Philip Clapp, chief executive of the UK Cinema Association, said: “Clearly, the sector sees the next six months as hugely important.
“The good news is the UK public can look forward to blockbuster after blockbuster in the coming months.”
Another expert said: “It’s a crucial six months ahead for some cinemas.”
Here, A Journalist on Sunday reveals the incentives on offer at four of the biggest cinema chains – and the top 15 film releases of the year.
CINEWORLD
THE country’s biggest cinema chain operates 127 cinemas across the UK and Ireland, employing 5,500 people.
Cineworld recently struck deals with lenders to secure a financial lifeline of £560million amid the pandemic and also managed to reduce rental costs.
It is aiming to tempt customers back with new packages offering unlimited snacks, even bigger luxury seats and new 3D-viewing experiences.
It also has deals such as 25 per cent off food at restaurants including Bella Italia, Cafe Rouge and La Tasca.
VUE
THE company boasts 91 venues across the UK, making it the third-largest chain, employing 4,000 staff.
Its CEO Tim Richards recently said: “We will survive. We just need movies.”
Now he has his wish and fans look set to benefit. Vue is already offering two- for-one tickets, which can be used at a range of screenings.
It is also promoting discounts to families in a bid to encourage households to tear themselves away from home-streaming rivals like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney.
ODEON
BRITAIN’S second-biggest cinema chain runs 120 venues in the UK and Ireland, employing around 5,400 people.
The Odeon turned many of its sites into vaccination centres over lockdown but they are preparing to reopen next month. It is already advertising the new Bond film on its website.
It has launched a new discounted package, which allows fans to pay a monthly Netflix-style subscription to watch movies at the cinema.
It is also offering discounts on food and drink.
EVERYMAN
THE chain made a £19million loss over lockdown but is intending to bounce back with a series of deals for customers. It has planned new menus including special burgers, desserts, cocktails and sundaes.
Paul Wise, executive chairman of Everyman Media, said staff will be serving customers while they are watching in their seats, providing “entertainment with food, drink and exceptional service”.
Everyman’s 35 venues, with 9,716 seats, will reopen on May 17.
TOP 15 FILMS TO WATCH
OSCAR-winning Nomadland is out on “opening Monday” along with fellow Academy Award winner, Sound Of Metal with Riz Ahmed.
Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway is also released on May 17 and horror A Quiet Place Part II a fortnight later on June 4. A week after that is The Father.
On September 10, Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson, and sci-fi thriller Infinite are out.
Five days later comes Venom: Let There Be Carnage, based on the Marvel Comics’ character.
Then Daniel Craig’s last outing as Bond, No Time To Die, finally arrives on September 30.
Sci-fi epic Dune is touted for October 1.
On October 22, there are the simultaneous releases of Dear Evan Hansen, The Many Saints Of Newark, kids’ animations Ron’s Gone Wrong and The Boss Baby 2, and finally Jackass 4.
