CINEMA CHAIN IN BRITISH INCURSION

IRELAND’S largest cinema chain has bought five sites from collapsed operator Empire.

Omniplex, which has 38 cinemas in the Republic and Northern Ireland, said the deal marked its first expansion into the British mainland.

The deal will involve an investment of more than £22m and secure 50 jobs.

Omniplex will take on the Empire cinemas in Birmingham, Ipswich, Sutton, Clydebank in Scotland and High Wycombe. They will all reopen under the new ownership over the next week.

The deal comes as cinema operators pin their hopes on Ridley Scott’s blockbuster Napoleon – starring Joaquin Phoenix ( pictured) and Vanessa Kirby – giving them a strong end to the year. Empire Cinemas collapsed into administration in July after the pandemic put pressure on the numbers going to cinemas.

Omniplex will renovate the sites and plans to expand further in the UK next year.