The Empire Cinema at Greenbridge has gone into administration.
Cinema staff were called into a meeting at 9.30am this morning and told the Swindon site would cease trading with immediate effect and they were also that they would not be paid and not receive any redundancy.
Justin Ribbons, Chief Executive Officer of Empire Cinemas Limited, said: "Tony Nygate, John Strowger Danny Dartnaill were appointed Joint Administrators of Empire Cinemas Limited on 7 July 2023 and it is with regret that we announce the closure of Empire Cinema Swindon with immediate effect.
"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 that 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.
"Refunds for tickets bought online and those purchased at the Box Office using a Debit/Credit/Gift Card will be REFUNDED automatically.
"We are extremely grateful for your support over the years."
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