Here’s everything Cineworld Plus and Unlimited members need to know about the cinema closures

Here’s everything Cineworld Plus and Unlimited members need to know about the cinema closures
(Photo: Shutterstock)Here’s everything Cineworld Plus and Unlimited members need to know about the cinema closures
(Photo: Shutterstock)
Here’s everything Cineworld Plus and Unlimited members need to know about the cinema closures (Photo: Shutterstock)

Cineworld cinemas across the UK will close down temporarily from Friday 9 October due to the ongoing pandemic, which has put a halt on the rollout of many big budget blockbuster films, leading to a significant drop in demand for movie theatres.

In an email to customers, Cineworld announced the temporary closure “with great sadness.”

The company said it tried to support “safe and sustainable reopenings” and was “very proud of the fact that cinemas were open for two months and there was not one Covid case resulting from visiting the cinema.”

It also said cinemas will be ready to reopen “once film studios are able to bring their pipeline of major movie releases back to the big screen.”

When will Cineworld reopen?

At present, there is no set date for Cineworld cinemas to reopen, though it seems unlikely that they will reopen before major blockbusters like the new James Bond film are ready to be released.

Currently, due largely to a lack of demand in the US market, the major film studios are withholding the release of their major movie releases, meaning a significant knock-on effect on the UK market.

Cineworld will be posting regular updates online, and has said it will contact customers directly via email when there are developments on a reopening date.

Bookings

All existing bookings will be refunded, according to the firm, and anyone who has booked online should receive an email confirming their refund by the end of this week.

If you haven’t received an email by that point you should send your booking reference to [email protected]

Customers who booked tickets in person rather than online should email the above address with a photo of the tickets.

Refunds should also be automatically sent out to those who booked with Cineworld gift cards, which will be re-credited, though you can email the above address if you no longer have the gift card.

What about Cineworld Plus and Unlimited members?

Anyone with a Cineworld Plus or Unlimited account will have their membership extended by the amount of time the closure lasts, once Cineworld reopens.

Online account management will be unavailable during the closure “for security purposes,” but will be available when cinemas reopen.

Unlimited memberships will carry on through the closure, with members who pay monthly having their payments paused until cinemas reopen.

Those who paid upfront for Unlimited membership will have their membership period extended by the period of closure once Cineworld reopens, and October offers will be extended by three weeks from the eventual reopening date.

What about gift cards and gift boxes?

Gift cards and gift boxes will be extended by an amount of time equal to the temporary closure. This will be done once the cinemas reopen, and you can contact Cineworld customer services if you have any questions.

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