Vue cinemas to close 21 venues across the UK for three days a week

List of venues facing reduced opening schedules includes five London sites

Vue cinemas has announced that around a quarter of their venues will be closing for three days a week as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The cinema chain, which operates 87 venues across the UK, confirmed that 21 of its sites are to be closed from Tuesdays to Thursdays.

A spokesperson said: “We will be temporarily reducing our opening days to ensure that our business is financially well placed to withstand the uncertainty ahead.”

The move follows a similar announcement by rival cinema chain Odeon, as well as the news that Cineworld and Picturehouse cinema chains would be closing their doors entirely for the foreseeable future.

As a result of the pandemic, UK cinema admissions have reportedly been the lowest (adjusted for inflation) since records began.

Prior to Cineworld’s announcement, it was revealed that the release of the forthcoming James Bond film No Time to Die would be postponed from November until Spring 2021. 

Several other high-profile blockbusters set for release this year have been pushed back until 2021, including the Frank Herbert adaptation Dune, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Widow.

Disney’s live-action Mulan, and the forthcoming Pixar film Soul, have converted to digital releases in lieu of the expected theatrical debuts.

Five of the Vue venues changing to part-time openings are in London, including the flagship cinema in Leicester Square.

The spokesperson added: "We remain committed to ensuring that Vue has a long-term future, to protecting the livelihoods of our staff and keeping our doors open to ensure our cinemas continue to serve the communities they operate in.

“We are looking forward to returning to full steam as soon as Hollywood studios start releasing the content which audiences are clamouring for.”