Deal proposed to save town cinema from closure

Hinckley's Cineworld opened in 2015

Council bosses and business leaders have said they are putting forward a deal to try to prevent the closure of a Leicestershire town's only cinema.

Cineworld has said it plans to close the five-screen complex in The Crescent, Hinckley, as part of a wider restructuring of the company.

However, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, and the town's business improvement district (BID), said they were preparing a deal aimed at getting the company to rethink the move.

Cineworld said it could not comment on the proposal.

Steve Wegerif said the BID and the council would find another use for the cinema if their proposal failed

Steve Wegerif, director of the Hinckley BID, told the BBC that Cineworld's decision to close the cinema, which opened in 2015, had been a "great shock".

He said: "It's a great concern, especially for the employees and for people who love going to the cinema.

"We are working very hard, together with the borough council, to fight this potential closure.

"Because the borough council also owns the building, we will also come up with a package which we hope they won't say 'no' to."

Details of the proposal have not been revealed, but Mr Wegerif added: "If we can't get Cineworld to keep it open, we will try to find another cinema company to move in.

"If we do end up with an empty unit, we will find a use for it.

"We are already on the case."

Cineworld has also proposed the closure of its Loughborough site

The council confirmed it had contacted Cineworld to try to find a way to avert the closure.

Council leader Stuart Bray said: "This is extremely sad and disappointing news, as the cinema is much loved by the residents of this borough.

"We will work with our partners including, the Department for Work and Pensions, to provide help and advice to Cineworld employees at this worrying time and do what we can to help safeguard the future of this great facility for our residents and visitors. "

A Cineworld spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment further on our ongoing discussions with landlords."

Earlier this week the company said its complex in Loughborough was also among six it proposed to shut.

The firm entered administration in July 2023 while struggling with a debt pile estimated to be almost £4bn.

It said it was now negotiating with landlords on new rent deals at unspecified sites.

The restructuring plans have to gain court approval. While the process is ongoing, all of Cineworld's UK operations will continue until at least late September.

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