A CINEMA chain with more than 100 locations across the UK is preparing to close one of its major sites for good — and locals are gutted.
Odeon Cinemas has confirmed it will shut its Bracknell branch on June 1, leaving fans scrambling to find affordable alternatives and marking the end of an era for local moviegoers.
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News of the closure sparked a wave of disappointment online.
One Facebook user wrote: “Just had an email to say the Odeon in Bracknell is closing on the 1st of June.
“Goodbye cheap cinema tickets. What other cinemas do people use that don’t cost the earth?”
Other cinema fans were quick to share their heartbreak.
One commented: “Gutted.”
Another offered a tip, saying: “Omniplex in Cressex, Wyncombe isn’t expensive.”
A third said: “Oh, that’s a real shame, I’d always take the kids there.”
And another added: “I know. I had the email too. There go affordable cinema trips for the family.”
Others pointed to Vue in Reading as a possible alternative.
Odeon confirmed the news in a statement, saying: “Following talks with our landlord, we have come to a mutual agreement to close our Bracknell cinema at the end of May this year.
“Supporting our local cinema team is our number one priority and we will be looking to secure jobs for as many of them as possible at our other cinema locations.
“We would like to thank our guests for all their support over the years.”
The Bracknell closure follows a string of other shutdowns across the country, including Odeon’s Surrey Quays and Covent Garden cinemas in London, which were both closed due to redevelopment plans.
The Surrey Quays site shut its doors today, giving London movie lovers just hours to catch a final screening.
The Covent Garden cinema closed earlier this month, and the site is now set to be transformed into a luxury hotel and theatre complex.
One disappointed film fan posted on social media: “Just popped into @ODEONCinemas Covent Garden and yes, it closes this Thursday.
The site is being converted into a luxury hotel and theatre. Very sad.”
It’s not just Odeon feeling the pressure.
Cineworld, another major UK chain, is also reportedly planning to close up to 25 cinemas as part of a major restructuring plan.
Six venues — in Glasgow, Bedford, Hinckley, Loughborough, Yate, and Swindon — have already been marked for closure in the coming months.
The shake-up comes as the cinema industry battles tough conditions.
Rising costs, from energy bills to rent, combined with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, have left families with less money to spend on trips to the movies.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research show that nearly 10,500 shops closed in 2023 alone, highlighting the challenges facing entertainment venues and retailers alike.
Some closures are tied to expiring leases or redevelopment projects, while others reflect a deeper struggle to keep up with changing consumer habits.
As streaming services grow in popularity and households tighten their budgets, cinemas are under increasing pressure to survive.
For Bracknell residents, the Odeon closure is more than just the loss of a cinema — it’s the end of an affordable, family-friendly outing.
Locals are now left searching for nearby cinemas that won’t break the bank.
Meanwhile, Odeon has promised to support its staff through the transition, aiming to place as many as possible in roles at its other cinemas across the UK.
The wider picture for cinema chains remains uncertain.
Cineworld is currently working with advisers to renegotiate rents at around 50 of its locations, and if deals can’t be reached, even more closures could follow.
For now, fans are flocking to their local Odeon screens to enjoy one last movie night, before the final curtain falls.
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