Cineworld shuts down UK and US cinemas – leaving 45,000 jobs hanging in the balance
But the delays to blockbuster releases - including the latest James Bond movie No Time To Die - have caused too many financial problems for Cineworld to sustain its thousands of theatres.
Cineworld has confirmed it will temporarily pull down the curtain on its UK and US screens and enter a period of hibernation due to knock-on effects of the pandemic.
The movie theatre chain is the second largest in the world, with 790 venues – including Didsbury, Leigh, Ashton and Bolton – in 11 countries.
But repeated delays to major blockbuster releases – including new James Bond movie No Time To Die – have caused too many financial problems for Cineworld to sustain its thousands of theatres.
The story was first reported in The Times over the weekend and owners confirmed the shutdown on Monday (October 5) – claiming they did “everything in [their] power to support safe and sustainable reopenings in all of our markets.”
Cineworld confirms it is temporarily closing all its UK ad US cinemas. Mooky Greidinger, CEO of #Cineworld, commented: "This is not a decision we made lightly, and we did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable reopenings in all of our markets…”#COVID19
It is hoped that Cineworld will be able to reopen at least some of its closed UK and US sites in 2021.
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But in the meantime, more than 45,000 jobs have been left hanging in the balance – including over 6,000 here in Britain.
The company’s official statement reads: “Cineworld confirms that it will be temporarily suspending operations at all of its 536 Regal theatres in the US and its 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse theatres in the UK from Thursday 8 October 2020.
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“As major US markets, mainly New York, remained closed and without guidance on reopening timing, studios have been reluctant to release their pipeline of new films.
“In turn, without these new releases, Cineworld cannot provide customers in both the US and the UK – the company’s primary markets – with the breadth of strong commercial films necessary for them to consider coming back to theatres against the backdrop of COVID-19.”
It had been hoped that No Time To Die would be a much-needed shot in the arm for Cineworld – with the chain forced to reduce its capacity since reopening to customers after a mass March closure.
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But on Friday, the new Bond flick was further delayed until 2 April 2021 – which appears to have pushed owners into making the tough decision to mothball its theatres.
Cineworld’s revenues had slumped to $712.4m in the first six months of 2020 – a staggering fall from $2.15bn in 2019.
News
Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
The Manc -
5th October 2020 
