Cinema chain signed up for Crewe town centre development enters administration
A cinema chain signed up for Crewe town centre's Royal Arcade development has entered administration, leaving its commitment to the project in doubt.
Empire Cinemas agreed terms for an eight-screen multiplex in Crewe town centre, back in September 2018.
The deal, struck with Cheshire East's Crewe development partner, Peveril Securities and Cordwell, was the first sign-up to the leisure side of the scheme.
On Friday 7 July, it was confirmed Empire Cinemas had entered administration with 150 jobs lost and six stores already confirmed for closure.
Chief Executive Officer of Empire Cinemas, Justin Ribbons, said: "As a consequence of COVID-19, where we were mandated by Government to close down our cinema chain in its entirety for protracted periods in 2020 and 2021 and this left us with a high fixed cost base and no income,"
"Cinema attendance levels have not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 levels and the operating environment remains extremely challenging.
"It has been a difficult economic environment for any business to manage through without long term damage and having exhausted all other available options for the business.
"We firmly believe this process can be a platform to restructure the business and preserve as many of our cinemas and the maximum number of jobs as possible."
The Royal Arcade scheme is planned to be delivered in two phases.
Crewe's new bus station and multi-storey car park development has faced a delay after a worker suffered "minor injuries" from a crane incident in June.
With work re-commencing this week, it is now expected to completed in early 2024.
A planning application was expected to be submitted for phase two, Crewe's leisure-led development, this summer.
The planned eight-screen Empire Cinemas development is now hugely in doubt.
Following the sign-up in 2018, MR Ribbons, said: "Our main screen will feature a hi-tech 'impact' screen showing the latest blockbuster movie to 230 customers seated in luxury seats, including some in a new sofa format.
"Our 17-seater 'D Box' will be one of the first in the UK where the moviegoers' reclining seats react to the action on screen.
"We share the ambitious plans of the council and the developer for the regeneration of Crewe town centre.
"We believe our cinema can play a big part in reviving the night-time economy of Crewe and make it an exciting place for families to spend their time."
Empire Cinemas' current closures are in: Catterick Garrison, Sunderland, Wigan, Swindon, Walthamstow and Bishop's Stortford. Its eight other sites are also under threat.
Currently, no other sign-ups have been confirmed for Crewe's Royal Arcade leisure development.
READ MORE: Pub raising funds for 'brilliant' Crewe dad who died following sudden heart attack.
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