Major cinema chain to close five locations within weeks – is one near you shutting for good?

A MAJOR cinema has confirmed it will be shutting down five branches within weeks.

Odeon said all affected branches will be closing on June 5, 2023.

Cinema fans won't be pleased to hear some key branches may be disappearing.

The company made its decision following "a thorough assessment of all available options".

We've listed the branches set to close below:

• Magdalen Street, Oxfordshire 
• Rigby Road, Blackpool
• Weston-super-mare
• Ayrshire
• Banbury

The branch in Magdalen Street, Oxfordshire, is closing just seven months before its 100th anniversary.

Odeon said in a statement: “We can confirm that, following a thorough assessment of all available options we have made the very difficult decision to close a small number of our cinemas.

"We know this will be disappointing news for our guests and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"We would like to thank them for their choosing ODEON to enjoy the magic of cinema.

"Looking after our people is our number one priority and we are looking to secure jobs for as many team members as possible in one of our 116 other cinemas across the UK and Ireland.”

To find your nearest Odeon, make sure to use the branch locator tool on its website.

Tickets cost roughly £12.50 online, but that largely depends on where you live and whether you book them online or in person.

The movie chain recommends customers to always book online first to save the most money.

Recently Cineworld has been struggling too after it gave a huge update on its plan to exit bankruptcy - it won't be selling its businesses outside the UK,  and Ireland.

This includes its cinemas in Eastern Europe and Israel, known as its "rest of the world division".

It comes after the business said it will raise $2.26billion (£1.8 billion) in new funding as part of a plan to exit bankruptcy.

The chain is the world's second-biggest cinema group after US-based AMC Theatres.

Cineworld, which runs around 750 sites globally, filed for bankruptcy in the US last year.

But in terms of closures, Odeon sadly isn't the only chain suffering this spring.

Retailers such as B&M, Iceland, Lidl and New Look are all expecting to shut branches between this month and next, and shoppers should check local websites to make sure they're not affected.

However, bear in mind some stores will be replaced with brand new shops while others will disappear forever.

For example Lidl, which has 950 sites, is closing or relocating a number of its supermarkets this month.

Its shops on Sturry Road, Canterbury, and Forton Road in Gosport will both shut on Sunday, May 28.

They're closing due to the poor condition of the building and bosses deeming them unfit for purpose.

All affected staff will be offered roles at alternative locations.

We wrote a handy guide on what's closing where and when over the next few weeks to keep you right - so have a look if you aren't sure.