Warner to open 20 new cinemas

Warner Brothers yesterday announced a pounds 75m plan to build 20 multi-screen cinemas across the country over the next two years.

The American entertainment company said that it would create up to 1,000 full- and part-time jobs.

"Cinema-going is still one of the most cost-effective pastimes that we have at the moment," said Sally Beckett, marketing director at Warner Brothers. "It can still cost as little as pounds 2.90 to go for an entertaining night out, and nowadays people are keen to think a night out has been value for money."

The first cinemas to open will be in Watford and Croydon. Harrow, Finchley and Dagenham will follow. Leeds will be the first new site outside the London region, and directors are still settling nine additional sites outside the capital.

The president of Warner Brothers International Theatres, Millard Ochs, said it was the company's biggest venture in Britain.

The investment follows the opening of new Warner cinemas in Leicester, Cambridge and Acton in west London, two years after the company opened its flagship theatre in the West End.

Each new cinema will seat up to 2,000 people and will comprise up to nine screens.

Warner Brothers also hopes that at least 100 temporary site jobs will be created.