Cineworld

Cineworld Group plc
Public
Traded as LSE: CINE
Industry Leisure, Entertainment & Refreshments
Founded 1995
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Key people
 Anthony Bloom
(Chairman)
Moshe (Mooky) Greidinger
(Chief Executive)
Revenue £619.4 million (2014)[1]
£76.0 million (2014)[1]
£54.5 million (2014)[1]
Website

www.cineworldplc.com

www.cineworld.co.uk

Cineworld Group plc is a cinema chain operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Jersey and continental Europe as Cinema City International.

The UK chain consists of 82 cinemas, 80 of which are located in the UK, with one each in Ireland and Jersey. It is the second-largest cinema operator in the UK with over 800 screens, and the owner of the single largest multiplex by screens and customer base in Ireland.[2] Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street is the tallest cinema in the world and the busiest, by customer base, in the UK.[3] The Cineworld with the greatest number of screens is that located at Valley Centertainment in Sheffield, which has 20.[4] It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.

History

The first Cineworld opened in Stevenage, Hertfordshire in July 1996; the second, in a purpose-built location in Wakefield, Yorkshire, followed in late 1996, with Shrewsbury, Shropshire, following in November 1998. Additional sites were opened at a steady rate throughout the late '90s and early 2000s; in 2005, Cineworld also took over the UK and Ireland operations of French cinema company UGC. (As part of the merger, seven locations were sold to Empire Cinemas, due to UK fair trading law: Birmingham Great Park, Bishop's Stortford, Ealing, Slough, Sunderland, Swindon and Wigan.)

The Blackstone Group invested in Cineworld in 2004 when it was privately owned, and remained the largest shareholder in Cineworld Group PLC until it sold its entire remaining 20% shareholding in November 2010.[5]

Post-merger, Cineworld have continued to open new locations; as of 2015, Cineworld have 82 locations in the UK, Ireland and Jersey and have a number of new locations in the pipeline.

In August 2013, The Guardian revealed that Cineworld employs 80% of its 4,300 staff on zero hour contracts.[6]

In October 2013, The Chester location was closed due to the landowner wanting to develop the land into a supermarket. This has been the first Cineworld to close without being sold and was the first cinema to leave the chain in 8 years.

In 2014 Cineworld's Picturehouse chain was subject to industrial action owing to its refusal to pay the London Living Wage to its staff. The workforce attracted the support of Eric Cantona.[7]

On 27 February 2014 Cineworld completed the takeover of Cinema City International N.V..[8] In what can be seen to be a partial reverse takeover, the Greidinger family (who owned a controlling 54% stake in Cinema City International) hold a controlling bloc as the largest shareholders in the newly formed company.[9]

Cinemas

Each Cineworld cinema has between 1 and 20 screens, which typically show mainstream general-release films. Some Cineworlds also show broadcasts of opera, theatre, live music and sports. All Cineworlds also have a retail area, where food and drink such as popcorn, nachos or hotdogs can be purchased, Candyking pick and mix outlets are available at the majority of cinemas. Various cinemas sell Ben and Jerry's ice cream but many were switched to Baskin Robbins in late 2013-early 2014 as part of that brands UK expansion. CafeBars and small amusement arcades can also be found at some cinemas. In October 2012, Cineworld began to replace some of its CafeBars with Starbucks Coffee outlets after agreeing a deal with the coffee chain.

As of September 2013, nine Cineworld cinemas have IMAX screens, and eight have D-BOX technology. As new sites open contracts have been signed for installs of both along with further installs of IMAX screens at older sites. Following a recent refit, the Milton Keynes cinema has acquired both a "Superscreen" and a 4DX screen, the first in the UK. Cineworld intends to roll out further "Superscreen" and 4DX screens to other sites in the future.

The majority of Cineworld cinemas offer a kids club named "Movies for Juniors", which screen selected children's films on Saturday & Sunday mornings at a discounted rate, and daily during school holidays.

In June 2011, Cineworld began a trial of a premium cinema brand, The Screening Rooms. Located next to the Cheltenham cinema, The Screening Rooms offers considerably larger, leather seating, premium food, and 'table' service.[10]

Cineworld was the only cinema chain in the United Kingdom to operate a 'strict no food and drink policy'[11] on items that have been bought elsewhere,[12] but in November 2012 the food policy was changed and now states that "neither alcohol nor hot food may be brought onto the premises".[13]

In early 2014 Cineworld introduced an allocated seating system, starting as a trial in selected sites including Wembley and rolling out to all their cinemas by the summer.[14] The move was controversial and a Twitter campaign was created against this policy.[15] Cineworld have responded to the criticism stating that it gives customers peace of mind along with other benefits.[16]

Membership schemes

Cineworld offers a subscription service using a membership card - the "Unlimited Card" - which provides subscribers with unlimited entrance for a set price per month, and currently 10% off all food and drink.[17] It is the only type of cinema subscription service available in the UK, Ireland and Jersey. Admission to 3D features incurs an additional fee, and does not include the cost of 3D glasses. The standard Unlimited card does not grant access to Cineworld's three West End cinemas (Chelsea, Haymarket and Fulham Road); these require the purchase of a more expensive West End Unlimited card. Using the Unlimited branding, Cineworld also published a free monthly magazine entitled Unlimited, presenting information about upcoming movies the chain will be exhibiting. As of Summer 2012 however, the Unlimited name was removed from the magazine and the subsequently the magazine was simply renamed as Cineworld Magazine.

As of 26 November 2012, Unlimited members of 12 months continuous membership will be upgraded to the Unlimited Premium Card which grants 25% off all food and drink bought in cinema, 10% off Starbucks (on site only) and no uplift fees on 3D films.

In addition to the paid Unlimited scheme, Cineworld offer a free membership scheme called "myCineworld", which allows members a 10% discount on tickets when booking online and with allocated seating offers the member 'the best seats in the auditorium' when booking in advance.

Gallery

Current locations

Site Screens (#) Origin Notes
Aberdeen — Queens Links 9 UGC
Aberdeen — Union Square 10 Cineworld
Aldershot 7 Cineworld D-Box
Ashford 12 Cineworld
Ashton-under-Lyne 14 Cineworld IMAX
Bedford 6 UGC Further 3 Screens opening Q2 2015
Birmingham — Broad Street 12 UGC IMAX
Boldon Tyne and Wear 11 UGC Starbucks Coffee
Bolton 15 UGC Starbucks Coffee
Bradford 16 Cineworld
Braintree 12 Cineworld
Brighton 8 UGC
Bristol 12 Cineworld
Burton upon Trent 9 Cineworld
Bury St Edmunds 8 Cineworld
Cardiff 15 UGC
Castleford 14 Cineworld D-Box, IMAX
Cheltenham 11 Cineworld IMAX, The Screening Rooms
Chesterfield 10 Cineworld
Chichester 10 Cineworld IMAX
Crawley 15 UGC D-Box, IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
Didcot 5 Cineworld
Didsbury 11 UGC D-Box
Dublin 17 UGC IMAX
Dundee 9 UGC
Eastbourne 6 UGC
Edinburgh 13 UGC IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
Falkirk 12 Cineworld Starbucks Coffee
Glasgow — IMAX at GSC 1 Cineworld IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
Glasgow — Parkhead 7 UGC
Glasgow — Renfrew Street 18 UGC D-Box
Gloucester 10 Cineworld
Harlow 6 UGC
Haverhill 5 Cineworld
High Wycombe 12 Cineworld
Hull 9 UGC
Huntingdon 10 Cineworld
Ipswich 11 UGC IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
Isle of Wight 11 Cineworld
Jersey 10 Cineworld
Leigh 7 Cineworld
Liverpool 8 UGC
Llandudno 9 Cineworld
London — Bexleyheath 9 Cineworld
London — Chelsea 4 UGC
London — Enfield 15 UGC IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
London — Feltham 14 Cineworld
London — Fulham Road 6 UGC
London — Hammersmith 4 UGC
London — Haymarket 3 UGC
London — Ilford 11 Cineworld
London — Staples Corner 6 UGC
London — The O2, Greenwich 11 Vue D-Box, Sky Superscreen
London — Wandsworth 14 Cineworld
London — Wembley 9 Cineworld D-Box, Starbucks Coffee
London — West India Quay 10 UGC
London — Wood Green 12 Cineworld
Luton 11 Cineworld
Middlesbrough 11 UGC
Milton Keynes 16 Cineworld 4DX, Starbucks Coffee, Superscreen
Newport 13 UGC Starbucks Coffee
Northampton 9 UGC Starbucks Coffee
Nottingham 14 WarnerVillage IMAX
Rugby 9 Cineworld
Runcorn 9 Cineworld
Sheffield 20 UGC IMAX, Starbucks Coffee
Shrewsbury 8 Cineworld
Solihull 9 Cineworld
Southampton 5 UGC
St Helens 11 Cineworld
St Neots 6 Cineworld
Stevenage 16 Cineworld IMAX
Stockport 10 UGC
Strood 9 UGC
Swindon - Shaw Ridge 7 UGC
Swindon - Regent Circus 6 Cineworld
Telford 11 Cineworld IMAX, D-Box, Starbucks Coffee
Wakefield 9 Cineworld
Weymouth 9 Cineworld
Witney 5 Cineworld
Wolverhampton 14 Cineworld
Yeovil 10 Cineworld

Planned locations

Site Screens Notes
Birmingham — National Exhibition Centre 11 inc. IMAX Opening Spring 2015, as part of the Resorts World Birmingham complex at the NEC.
Bracknell 12 inc. IMAX Opening Spring 2017, as part of the Bracknell Regeneration.
Broughton 11 inc. IMAX As part of the Broughton Shopping Park expansion plans, Opening on 8 May 2015.
Dover 6 As part of the St. James Development, Opening 2016.
Ely, Cambridgeshire 6 As part of Ely Leisure Village, Opening 2016.
Glasgow — Silverburn Centre 14 Opening 2015.
Harlow - Harvey Centre 6 As part of Harvey Centre plans, Opening 2015.
Hinckley 5 As part of Crescent Bus Station plans, Opening 2015.[18]
Keighley 8 Opening 2016.
Macclesfield 9 Opening 2016.
Murton, County Durham 7 As part of Dalton Park, Opening 2015.
Newport - Friars Walk 8 Opening 2015.
Oswestry 5 Opening 2015.
Hanley, Staffordshire 9 Opening 2015 [19]
Ruislip 10 Opening 2015.
Trowbridge 8 Opening 2015.
Watford 11 inc. IMAX Opening May 2017.
Leeds - White Rose Centre 11 inc. IMAX Opening date unknown

Former locations

Site Screens Origin Notes
Birmingham — Great Park 13 UGC Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005.
Bishop's Stortford 6 Cineworld Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005.
Cambridge 9 Cineworld Sold To Light Cinemas 2015.
Chester 6 UGC Closed 10 October 2013.
Ealing 3 UGC Sold to and now closed by Empire Cinemas since early 2009 for "redevelopment"
Gloucester — Peel Centre 6 UGC Closed 5 December 2013. Replaced by new cinema at Gloucester Quays development.
London — Shaftesbury Avenue 7 UGC Closed 21 September 2014. Due to re-open under Cineworld's Picturehouse Cinemas brand late spring 2015. [20]
Sunderland 12 Cineworld Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005
Slough 10 UGC Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005.
Swindon — Greenbridge 12 Cineworld Swindon was the only place to have a UGC & Cine-UK therefore had two Cineworld Cinemas for a brief time. Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005.
Wigan 11 UGC Sold to Empire Cinemas in 2005.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Preliminary Results for year ended 31 December 2014". Cineworld. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. ↑ Cineworld PLC | The Market
  3. ↑ "Cineworld Group plc – Company overview". cineworldplc.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  4. ↑ "Cineworld Group plc – About us". cineworldplc.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Blackstone Completes Sale of Remaining Stake in Cineworld" (PDF). Press release. The Blackstone Group. Retrieved 4 January 2011.
  6. ↑ Simon Neville. "Curzon and Everyman cinema staff on zero-hours contracts | Film". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-06-25.
  7. ↑ Spanier, Gideon. "Backers pile pay pressure on Cineworld over Brixton Ritzy row". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  8. ↑ "UK group to merge with Cinema City International". Polskie Radio (Polskie Radio). 2014-01-10. Retrieved 2014-01-10. Under the terms of the deal, Cineworld will purchase about 100 multiplexes from CCI for 503 million pounds. However, CCI will maintain a 24.9 percent stake in the combined business.
  9. ↑ "Israel’s Mooky Greidinger Agrees To Sell Cinema City Chain Of Movie Theatres To UK Based Cineworld For $923 Million In Cash And Stock". Jewish Business News. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  10. ↑ "Sneak peek at Cheltenham cinema's luxury Screening Rooms". This is Gloucestershire. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  11. ↑ "Cineworld Cinemas - FAQ". Retrieved 9 July 2011. Can I bring in my own food and drink? - Cineworld have a strict NO FOOD AND DRINK policy.
  12. ↑ Sethi, Anita (20 February 2008). "My mission to beat the great cinema food rip-off ...". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  13. ↑ "Cineworld Cinemas - FAQ". Retrieved 1 December 2012. 2.2 Alcohol and Food Policy: Neither alcohol nor hot food may be brought onto the premises. Only hot food bought on the premises may be consumed on the premises. Alcohol may only be purchased and consumed in Cineworld licensed bar areas or in licensed screens and licensing laws will be strictly enforced.
  14. ↑ "Allocated seating is now available at your local Cineworld". Cineworld. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  15. ↑ "Allocated Seats Cine". twitter.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  16. ↑ "Allocated seating coming soon to Cineworld". Cineworld. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  17. ↑ "Cineworld Cinemas: Unlimited Card Discounts".
  18. ↑ "Work on Hinckley's £80m revamp to start next year". BBC News. 10 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "Cineworld Set for Hanley as part of INTU Potteries expansion plans". The Sentinel. 20 November 2013.
  20. ↑ "Cineworld London - Shaftesbury Avenue West-End to become Picturehouse Central". Cineworld. Retrieved 26 March 2015.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cineworld.