It’s been revealed that the major cinema chains in the UK (Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Picturehouse) are all closing due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
This has been a long time coming and to be honest, I can’t blame the cinema chains for taking this action.
This decision to close their screens didn’t come lightly, however, they weren’t given much choice in the matter.
The move comes a day after the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people to avoid public venues.
This included the likes of theatres, clubs, restaurants and cinemas.
Cinema UK, which represents the industry over here, issued a statement on Twitter in which they said “most UK cinema sites” would close in the coming days following the government advice.
Theatres in London’s West End and around the UK have already closed.
Most concerts in the country have also been cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
All of the UK’s major cinema chains are closing due to Coronavirus
Statement from @Cinema_UK:
'Mindful of the latest scientific advice from the Government, the coming days will see the closure of most UK cinema sites…….(contd)
— Cinema UK (@Cinema_UK) March 17, 2020
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It’s going to be a very bad time for business, which it already has been for the UK’s cinemas.
It was revealed by Screen Daily that the vast majority of film fans were staying away from cinemas.
They reported that box office takings in the UK and Ireland were down by 50% between Friday and Sunday compared to the previous weekend.
This move also comes after Universal Studios revealed they would be making their latest releases (The Invisible Man and The Hunt) available on-demand from this weekend.
What do you make of this news?
What are you doing to keep safe during this Coronavirus pandemic?
Do you think the UK’s major cinema chains made the right decision in closing due to the Coronavirus outbreak?
Let us know in the comments below.
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