'Such sad news' say film fans as major cinema chain closing another site

Odeon is closing one of its cinemas next month - leaving film fans devastated. The chain is shutting its Bracknell branch in Berkshire.

At the moment, the last day you can book tickets online for films at this particular branch is on June 1. Customers have been reacting to the news on social media.

One person said: "Terrible news. £5 cinema tickets for every film if you create an account, made cinema affordable and accessible to more families. Now, more than double the price with alternatives."

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Another posted: "Such a shame. I always chose this cinema over the others because it was affordable and very nostalgic. I'm not surprised it's going, though.

"The escalators have been out of use for such a long time, and it never seemed all that busy. Thanks for the memories, Odeon Bracknell!"

A third said: "There nachos were the best!!!! Gutted." A fourth person commented: "Omg such sad news. So many stories of that great cinema."

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.”

It comes after Odeon recently closed its cinemas in Surrey Quays and Covent Garden. The Surrey Quays site shut its doors this week, while the Covent Garden cinema closed earlier this month.

Meanwhile, rival chain Cineworld closed six more of its cinemas earlier this year after landlords chose to reclaim their properties. The sites that were closed were in Castleford, Leigh, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Poole and Weymouth.

This came after Cineworld had already closed five branches in Glasgow Parkhead, Bedford, Loughborough, Yate and Swindon Regent Circus last year, following the approval of its restructure plans.

The cinema chain had its plans approved back in September 2024 after four companies which form part of the UK arm of Cineworld told a High Court they were at risk of collapsing into administration.

The High Court case heard from Cine-UK Ltd, Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, Cineworld Cinema Properties Ltd and Cineworld Estates Ltd, which are parts of the UK arm of Cineworld.

At the time, the four companies said they planned on renegotiating the leases of some of their more than 100 sites, to secure rent reductions. They form part of a wider group which operates cinemas in 10 countries, including the US under the Regal Cinemas brand.