Cabot Circus owners respond to shock cinema closure

The owners of Cabot Circus have said they are “committed to providing a cinema” following the shock announcement that Cinema De Lux is closing.

Hammerson, which owns the city centre shopping complex, has released a short statement that gives little in detail but implies the company intends to incorporate other “complimentary uses” in the space that has been occupied by Showcase since 2008.

It comes after Showcase Cinema bosses made the announcement that they will be closing in the prominent location at the end of the month due to an “inability to agree terms on a new lease with the landlords”.

The cinema giant has said its last screening will be on the evening of Thursday, November 30 and it won’t be taking any bookings for the site in December, instead directing people to the Showcase at Avonmeads in St Philip’s.

The owners of Cabot Circus have said they are “committed to providing a cinema” following the shock announcement that Cinema De Lux is closing – photo: Martin Booth

Hammerson bosses said: “The vision of Cabot Circus is to be a leading, multi-purpose destination that thrives in the heart of Bristol city centre.

“Social, cultural and entertainment uses are a key part of Cabot Circus, and we remain committed to providing a best in class, renewed cinema alongside other complimentary uses. We look forward to providing more updates soon.”

The shock closure of Cinema De Lux comes as the only cinema in south Bristol, Cineworld in Hengrove Leisure Park, is set to close on November 26.

The revelation on prompted a mixed reaction, with one person saying it will be a “huge loss” to Cabot Circus.

Commenting on Twitter, Catherine Lombardo said: “I’m really upset about this. It’s my children’s favourite cinema. Would you really rather that the unit was empty than accept less rent? I doubt many businesses would want a space that size.”

Others have said the cinema was expensive, with Kevin Perryman-Doyle commenting on Facebook, saying: “No surprise there. Cost a fortune to drive there for some, then pay for parking and then price of ticket. The council are to blame for all the closures, and companies pay a fortune in rent and rates.”

Showcase Cinemas UK managing director, Crispin Lilly, said: “We would like to thank all the customers who have visited since we opened at Cabot Circus in 2008 and we hope they have enjoyed their time with us.

“We would also like to thank our committed team of employees at the site for their passion, dedication and hard work, especially over the last few difficult years.

“We are committed to delivering great cinema experiences to Bristol audiences and hope that customers will visit our other cinema in the city, less than three miles away at Avonmeads.

“We have recently invested in this site and it now features the only fully customisable recliner cinema seating in Bristol within our state of the art de Lux auditoria.”

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read next:

• City centre multiplex cinema to close
• New independent cinema could open in Broadmead
• South Bristol’s last remaining cinema set to close 

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