Falkirk film fans react to Cineworld closure

When will we be able to go and see a flick at Cineworld again?

While we would be happy to paraphrase the Terminator himself, old Arnie Schwarzenegger, and say ‘It’ll be back”, it’s more accurate to borrow a line from Orson Welles’ 1941 classic Citizen Kane – “no man can say”.

It’s easy to blame James Bond and his latest adventure No Time To Die being delayed until April 2021, but the truth is no big film companies seem to want to risk a premature release bombing at the box office.

In normal times the success or failure of a film was down to how good it was and – obviously – how many people actually go and see it.

Nowadays though you could have the best film ever made – not Bill and Ted 3 – and it could still be classed as a failure because people are staying away from cinemas due to fears over contracting coronavirus.

Still, that doesn’t really help Cineworld staff, who probably love films as much as the customers they go above and beyond to serve and help.

On Monday Cineworld bosses confirmed its Falkirk Central Retail Park multiplex – along with all its 126 other cinemas in the UK – would close on Thursday.

Moshe “Mooky” Greidinger, Cineworld chief executive, went on the record to state the firm will be “suspending” its operations, putting 5500 UK jobs at risk.

He said: “We did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable re-openings in all of our markets. We cannot underscore enough how difficult this decision was.

“Cineworld will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate any future plans to resume operations in these markets at the appropriate time, when key markets have more concrete guidance on their reopening status and, in turn, studios are able to bring their pipeline of major releases back to the big screen."

Cineworld did not give a date when Falkirk and the other cinemas will re-open although it is understood the firm has contacted Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to explain the exhibition sector is “unviable” due to studios delaying their big new releases – like the forthcoming No Time to Die.

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There might be no No Time To Die, but it appears Falkirk Herald readers had plenty of time to make their feelings known about the Cineworld closure on the newspaper’s Facebook page.

Andy Simmonds said: “The film renters take most of the profits, only leaving what gets sold at the sweet shop for the cinemas to make any money – hence the inflated prices.

“The old Hippodrome in Bo’ness is a worthwhile alternative and a slight suggestion of the old experience of going to the pictures.”

Ross Allan, obviously not a film fan, said: “I’d fully back Primark moving into the building. If they don’t – and I can’t see why they wouldn’t – then I don’t think Primark will ever come to Falkirk.”

Lorna Binnie: “It’s only temporary until there is public confidence again and blockbuster films to watch – they need content to attract customers.”

Steven Gallagher: “Sad news. All those job losses. Hopefully we will get to the end of this pandemic one day soon.”

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Kirsten Hester: “They hope to reopen next year – sadly I can’t see it happening. Such a shame for the employees.”

Steven John: “Should never have shut/sold off ABC in the town centre. Council should have recognised it was a historic building of interest for the area and kept investing in it, like they eventually did do with the Hippodrome.”

Rab Henderson: “They mean they aren’t willing to look after their staff or pay them during this crisis, so they get rid of them and open it back up next year. Everyone should boycott it.”

Donna Chisholm: “The staff found out via social media and have been told there won’t be any redundancy payments.”

David Fraser: “Another casualty with more to follow. Sad days ahead.”

Danny Nisbet: “Hopefully Odeon buys it and puts some better seats in.”

Grant Cooper: “Disney put top films on their streaming channels. It won’t be long until the rest of the film industry follows for pay as you go. Cut out the middle man. Unfortunately cinema is going the way of the dodo.”

Jimmy Mitchell: “Cineworld have been on this path for a long time in Falkirk. The Vue in Stirling, Livingston or East Kilbride is far less expensive and better picture and audio by far.”

David Harrower: “It seems a lot of people don’t trust their immune system. It’s worked for thousands of years against real pandemics.”

Ryan Pollock: “Instead of showing new movies, show old favourites to get customers in.”

Brian Wisdom: “No one is going. They’re all maxed out on Netflix and Amazon Prime – keeps you in the house just where THEY want you.”

Anny Deekin knows what Falkirk Cineworld should be doing during the weeks and months it is closed – get a face lift.

She said: “I think the cinema needs a complete refurb. It was lovely when it was new, but the prices now are ridiculous when the cinema is a bit worn around the edges and the seats are so uncomfortable.

“Maybe if they reduced their prices they might get more custom.”

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