Empire Cinemas

Empire Cinemas was a United Kingdom multiplex cinema chain created in 2005 from cinemas divested by Odeon Cinemas and Cineworld following competition-related requirements associated with the consolidation of the UK cinema market. The business brought the acquired venues together under the Empire Cinemas name and operated cinemas in locations across England and elsewhere in the UK. The brand had historical links to the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, London, which opened in 1884 as a West End variety theatre designed by Thomas Verity. That historic venue later became one of the most visible sites associated with Empire Cinemas, serving as a flagship location until it was sold to Cineworld in 2016. Five cinemas were included in that transaction, which was reported at a value of £94 million; the locations transferred to Cineworld on 12 August 2016. Empire subsequently sold its Newcastle upon Tyne cinema to Cineworld in June 2017. The company’s operating model centered on conventional multiplex exhibition: screening commercially released films in multiple auditoria and providing associated cinema services. Empire also participated in customer marketing and publishing activity. In cooperation with Showcase, it was associated with Escape, a free customer magazine distributed at 50 cinemas and containing film reviews, interviews and competitions. Empire faced a prolonged redevelopment dispute concerning its former Ealing site. The Ealing cinema closed in September 2008 and was demolished in early 2009, while the frontage was retained for a proposed replacement cinema. Delays led Ealing Council to pursue compulsory-purchase proceedings. Empire stated that planning misunderstandings had contributed to the delay and later announced that Clarkebond, a consultancy owned by its parent group, would manage construction. The council’s compulsory-purchase order was ultimately approved in 2015. The site was later developed as Ealing Picturehouse, which opened in 2023 under Picturehouse operation rather than as an Empire venue. Like other UK cinema operators, Empire temporarily closed its cinemas in March 2020 during the national COVID-19 lockdown. The chain later entered administration on 7 July 2023, immediately closing six cinemas. Five remaining cinemas continued to trade under the Empire name for several months. On 4 December 2023, the remaining business was acquired by Omniplex Cinemas and Empire Cinemas was dissolved. Before administration, the chain had 13 cinemas and 128 screens; its final operating footprint was smaller after the July closures.

Empire Cinemas Limited was established in 2005 during a major restructuring of the UK cinema industry. Terra Firma’s acquisition of Odeon and the UK operations of UCI was followed by plans to consolidate those businesses under the Odeon brand. At the same time, Cineworld acquired the UK and Irish operations of UGC and began integrating them into its own chain. Competition requirements connected with these transactions required the divestment of selected cinemas. Empire acquired 11 cinemas divested from Odeon and six divested from Cineworld, then rebranded the available venues under the Empire Cinemas identity. The brand’s most prominent historical association was Empire Leicester Square. The original Empire Theatre opened in 1884 as a West End variety theatre designed by Thomas Verity. In its later cinema-chain role, the Leicester Square site functioned as a flagship venue and gave the Empire name substantial visibility in London’s film-exhibition market. In July 2016, Empire sold five cinemas, including Leicester Square, to Cineworld for a reported £94 million. The transferred cinemas changed to Cineworld operation on 12 August 2016. Empire also sold its Newcastle upon Tyne cinema to Cineworld in June 2017, reducing the scale of the chain. Empire’s history also included a lengthy planning and redevelopment conflict in Ealing. The company closed the Ealing cinema on 5 September 2008 and demolished the building in early 2009 while retaining the front facade. Replacement construction did not proceed on the timetable expected by Ealing Council. The council began considering compulsory purchase after the site remained undeveloped, and Empire’s chief executive Justin Ribbons attended meetings with council representatives in 2011. Empire attributed the delay to a misunderstanding involving planning officers and later expressed optimism that work would restart. In 2012, it announced that Clarkebond, a consultancy within the wider Inspiration Holdings group, would manage construction. Despite revised statements about a possible start, progress remained limited. Ealing Council served a compulsory-purchase order in 2014 as part of a broader cultural-quarter plan. The order was approved in 2015, construction began in December 2016, and the replacement Ealing Picturehouse eventually opened in October 2023. The company’s consumer-facing activity extended beyond screenings. Empire participated with Showcase in Escape, a free customer magazine distributed at 50 cinemas. The publication featured film reviews, interviews and competitions, supporting customer engagement around the cinema-going experience. In March 2020, Empire and other UK cinema operators closed temporarily in response to the national COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic disrupted theatrical exhibition across the country and was followed by a difficult period for the company. On 7 July 2023, Empire Cinemas entered administration and six cinemas closed immediately. Five remaining venues continued to operate under the Empire name for a limited period. On 4 December 2023, Omniplex Cinemas acquired the remaining Empire business. Empire Cinemas then dissolved, ending the operation of the brand as an independent UK cinema chain. Before entering administration, the company had 13 cinemas with 128 screens, although the number of active venues fell after the July 2023 closures.

• 2023

  Administration and dissolution

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  Empire entered administration in July, and Omniplex acquired the remaining business in December before the Empire company dissolved.

• 2020

  Temporary UK-wide cinema closure

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  Empire closed its cinemas in March during the national COVID-19 lockdown.

• 2017

  Newcastle cinema sold

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  Empire sold its Newcastle upon Tyne cinema to Cineworld.

• 2016

  Five cinemas sold to Cineworld

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  Empire sold five cinemas, including its Leicester Square flagship, to Cineworld; the sites transferred on 12 August.

• 2008

  Ealing cinema closes

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  The Empire Ealing cinema closed on 5 September as part of a planned redevelopment.

• 2005

  Empire Cinemas Limited is formed

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  Empire acquired cinemas divested from Odeon and Cineworld and began rebranding them under the Empire Cinemas name.

• 1884

  Empire Theatre opens in Leicester Square

  [1]Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org

  The venue that later became associated with Empire Cinemas opened in London’s Leicester Square as the Empire Theatre, a West End variety theatre designed by Thomas Verity.

Mainstream UK multiplex cinema exhibition

• Cinema exhibition · 2005

  Empire multiplex cinemas

  The company’s principal offering was the operation of multiplex cinemas showing commercially released films across multiple screens. Venues provided cinema admissions and related visitor services. Before administration, Empire operated 13 cinemas with 128 screens, although six venues closed immediately when the company entered administration in July 2023.

• Customer publishing

  Escape magazine

  Escape was a free customer magazine associated with Empire and Showcase cinemas. Distributed at 50 cinemas, it combined film reviews, interviews and competitions as a marketing and engagement channel for cinema customers.

• 2023

  Administration and sale of remaining businessOther

  Background

  After pandemic-related disruption and a reduced operating estate, Empire entered administration.

  Action taken

  Six cinemas closed immediately on 7 July 2023. Omniplex Cinemas acquired the remaining business on 4 December 2023.

  Aftermath

  Empire Cinemas dissolved and ceased operating as an independent cinema chain.

  Source

• 2016

  Sale of five cinemas to CineworldM&A

  Background

  Empire restructured its estate after operating a portfolio of acquired multiplexes.

  Action taken

  The company sold five cinemas, including Leicester Square, to Cineworld.

  Aftermath

  The cinemas transferred to Cineworld on 12 August 2016, reducing Empire’s portfolio.

  Reported transaction value. £94 million (2016)

  Source

• 2005

  Build a new chain from divested cinemasStrategy

  Background

  The consolidation of Odeon, UCI, Cineworld and UGC operations led to competition-related divestments in the UK cinema market.

  Action taken

  Empire acquired 11 cinemas from Odeon and six from Cineworld and rebranded them under the Empire Cinemas identity.

  Aftermath

  The transactions created a distinct UK multiplex chain, although Empire later sold several prominent venues to Cineworld.

  Source

1. 1Empire Cinemasen.wikipedia.org