Vue to Assume Operations at Castleford Cineworld Site

A cinema in West Yorkshire, slated for closure early next year, will be managed by a different operator. Vue is set to assume control of the 14-screen Cineworld facility located within Castleford’s Xscape Yorkshire leisure complex following its closure on January 19. This particular Cineworld location, which has been operational for more than two decades, is among six nationwide branches being shut down as part of the company’s cost-saving initiatives. While a reopening date has not yet been disclosed, Jason Warren, Xscape Yorkshire’s centre director, stated their aim was to guarantee visitors could “continue to enjoy the latest blockbusters and the best of British films”. He further commented, “We can’t wait to announce the opening date and invite everyone to step inside and experience this new cinema venue.” Vue, which operates 92 cinemas encompassing more than 290 screens throughout the UK and Ireland, will occupy the first floor of the leisure complex, the space presently used by Cineworld. This announcement follows Xscape Yorkshire’s statement earlier this month that it was collaborating with Cineworld “to try and find a solution which works for all those involved”. Cineworld went into administration in 2023 due to financial difficulties, although its cinema locations nationwide remained operational. Cineworld indicated that the closure of its Castleford site forms part of its strategy to secure the company’s “long-term future and profitability”. The other affected branches include Leigh, Middlesbrough, Northampton, Poole, and Weymouth.