Yate Cineworld closure a 'sad day for the town'

The cinema chain has announced plans to shut six cinemas across the UK including one in Yate as part of major restructuring plans.

The business, which is part of the world’s second-largest cinema chain, has struggled since the pandemic as audiences have failed to return to previous levels.

Against this backdrop, the organisation said it plans on closing sites in Yate, Glasgow Parkhead, Bedford, Hinckley, Loughborough, and Swindon Circus.

No date for its Yate closure has so far been agreed.

The six screen cinema opened in Yate in 2016 but has suffered declining visitor numbers and never fully recovered after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

The Yate Shopping Centre’s owner Northdale and its asset manager Ellandi say that initial discussions with other cinema operators have so far proved unsuccessful and they are now reviewing the options to ensure the space is not left empty.

A spokesperson for Ellandi said: “The cinema market has faced decreasing visitor numbers for some time.

"Internet streaming and the pandemic have both played major roles in this decline as fewer and fewer people choose to visit cinemas.

“We are obviously extremely disappointed with the news, but it is clear Cineworld has made up its mind, and there is no going back on this decision.

"We are in talks with Cineworld about when they will finally close the Yate cinema but suspect this is impending.

“We have already been in talks with other cinema operators, but it won’t come as a surprise that there has been little commercial interest.

"We are now having to review all options which we will discuss with community representatives to find the best way forward.

“One thing is clear though if we are to ensure Yate and the shopping centre are to maintain their vibrancy and appeal – doing nothing is simply not an option. The building cannot be left vacant.

“It is imperative we reach a conclusion as soon as possible about what is viable on this key site.

"Once we have some clarity we will do what we can to let everyone know.”

Northdale and Ellandi are seeking to work in partnership with Yate Town Council and South Gloucestershire Council to ensure any negative impact on the town is carefully managed and minimised.

Chris Willmore, the councillor for Yate North at SGC said: "It’s a very sad day - as one of the people at the core of the fight to get our cinema I am really sad to see this operator go.

"But it isn’t the end, the fight is now on to find another operator. 

"The owners have our 100 per cent support as we work together to seek an alternative cinema provider.

"We worked together with our MP and the owners to get the cinema now we are working together with our new MP (Claire Young) to try to find another operator.

"We are pushing the owners for a mixed commercial leisure and community use if a cinema operator can’t be found as it’s really important to have evening entertainment there."

A Cineworld spokesperson said: “We are implementing a restructuring plan that will provide our company with a strong platform to return our business to profitability, attract further investment from the Group, and ensure a sustainable long-term future for Cineworld in the UK.”