Irish chain Omniplex acquires under-threat British cinemas

The cinema chain has operated in Ireland since 1991

An Irish firm has taken over five former Empire Cinemas across England and Scotland that were facing closure.

Omniplex Cinema Group said it had acquired venues in Birmingham, Clydebank, High Wycombe, Ipswich and London and they would reopen by Sunday.

The company has spent £22.5m obtaining and renovating the sites as part of an expansion into Britain.

It comes after the Empire Cinema chain collapsed into administration in July, blaming the pandemic and rising costs.

Omniplex started life in Ireland in 1991 and the company now operates dozens of cinemas in the country, as well as in Northern Ireland.

The Birmingham site will reopen on Wednesday, with Ipswich and Sutton, London, opening on Friday.

Sunday will see the rebranded opening of cinemas in Clydebank, Scotland, and High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Paul John Anderson, director of the group, said he was "thrilled to bring Omniplex Cinemas to Great Britain".

"Our disciplined approach to investing in our businesses and unwavering drive to operate high-quality cinema locations have proved successful over the years on the island of Ireland, and has given us the confidence to venture into new territories," he said.