Cinema attendance has decreased by over 30% since 2019 and one in ten cinemas may face closure, according to data.
The COVID-19 pandemic played a major role in the decrease of cinema attendance in the UK, according to UK Cinema Association (UKCA), with the number of cinemas operating decreasing by 17% to 724 from 878 in 2019.
Prolonged lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 forced cinemas to close for months, causing significant revenue losses.
Ruislip Cineworld employee Francisca Potts said: “Screenings are empty most of the time, I hardly see long queues anymore.”
Potts explained how she fears the decline in cinema attendance could leave her redundant.
Data from UK Box Office show the drop in box office revenue in cinemas, from £1.25billion in 2019 to £978million in 2023, although this is an increase since pandemic closures, figures are yet to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Former Cineworld supervisor Sophie McLeggan said: “I am not surprised that the industry is declining, many people choose to stream their favourite movies instead of going to the cinema.”
Data from UK Cinema Association recorded that 176.1million people attended cinemas in 2019, compared to just under 120million in 2022.
UKCA also recognised London cinemas, including Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square, Odeon Surrey Quays and Cineworld Ilford, were at risk of closure due to rising operational costs.
The combination of attendance decline, ongoing financial pressures and sharp rise in streaming services may continue to fuel the permeant closures of cinemas in London and the rest of the UK.
Picture credit: Londoner journalist
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