Empire Cinemas Enters Administration, Closes Six Theaters and Lays Off 150 Employees

U.K. independent theater chain Empire Cinemas is entering administration due to financial difficulties from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Six Empire Cinemas locations have closed down immediately resulting in 150 job losses.
The remaining seven Empire Cinemas sites will stay open as administrators seek a buyer for the struggling cinema chain.
The closure of six theaters leaves some areas like Sunderland and Wigan without a major cinema.
Despite some big movies still drawing crowds, lower overall attendance and increased costs have made the situation untenable for Empire Cinemas.