Companies That You Expect to Disappear Soon

[birchesgreen]

One of the Empires closing is Sutton Coldfield ex-Odeon i believe, sad times as thats where i saw Star Wars for the first time. Mind you the last film i saw there was Waynes World!

 

[Jamiescott1]

The problems start in Hollywood to be honest, you might be lucky to see a couple of big blockbusters per year these days that you think 'that is worth going to the cinema for', the rest you'll just think I might as well wait for those on DVD/streaming services and watch in peace on your 75" TV at home

When purse strings are as tight as they are for a lot of households at the moment the cinema is also probably quite far down the list of places to visit

A shame for the staff but I can see Cineworld heading in the exact same direction soon too

High wycombe (my nearest big town) has an empire (remaining open for now) and a cineworld.

Marlow (my home town) has a new everyman opening in the autumn.
It seems that boutique cinemas are surviving as they don't rely on the Hollywood blockbusters.

How are odeon doing as a chain ?

 

[Thirteen]

The problems start in Hollywood to be honest, you might be lucky to see a couple of big blockbusters per year these days that you think 'that is worth going to the cinema for', the rest you'll just think I might as well wait for those on DVD/streaming services and watch in peace on your 75" TV at home

When purse strings are as tight as they are for a lot of households at the moment the cinema is also probably quite far down the list of places to visit

A shame for the staff but I can see Cineworld heading in the exact same direction soon too

Cineworld is putting the parent company into administration, not the entire business. It's being done so they can transfer the assets to a new holding company that is going to own the business going forward.

Empire was created because Odeon and Cineworld had to divest cinemas when they bought or merged with other companies. I would imagine some of the cinemas have been closed will be snapped up by other cinema chains.

 

[Whistler40145]

Just read a notice that Adminstrators have been appointed for Ideal World

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Just read a notice that Adminstrators have been appointed for Ideal World

See post #3,269.

 

[C J Snarzell]

I always recall Peter Kay's gag some 20 years ago about the cinema pick 'n' mix and having to take out a mortgage to purchase refreshments from the cinema. The grim fact is that Mr Kay's gags are in fact the harsh reality of why Empire has hit the wall.

I once used to work with someone who previously worked for Vue and he stated cinema companies make very little from ticket sales, as most of the film profits are swallowed up by the film production companies. Unfortunately, that leaves the cinema's having to inflate their prices for popcorn or fizzy drinks just to break even.

The rising cost of living means fewer & fewer people are venturing to the cinema these days, and the introduction of the armchair threatre in the home thanks to 50'' flat screen TV's and digital steaming, means the traditional multiplex cinema has taken a massive sucker punch.

Even the repeated postponement of Daniel Craig's last Bond film during the Covid epidemic was another kick in the teeth to the cinema industry that was already struggling to stay afloat.

I would like to think cinema's will still be around in he future, but I suspect like the fall of the high street bank - their numbers will decrease to a selected few at key locations.

CJ

 

[J-2739]

We just had a brand new multi-screen cinema complex opened in Barnsley as part of the new Glassworks development. Can we really confidently say that the cinema as a medium is dead?

 

[D6130]

Our local independent (town council-owned) cinema in Hebden Bridge is doing very nicely, thank you. Blockbusters are not what it is about, but they show a nice selection of historical and art house films....plus quite a few foreign films with subtitles. They also have a nice little bar from which you can take beer, wine, tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits, etc. into the auditorium....so who needs the likes of Cineworld, etc.

 

[Peter Sarf]

We just had a brand new multi-screen cinema complex opened in Barnsley as part of the new Glassworks development. Can we really confidently say that the cinema as a medium is dead?

I cannot recall when I last went to the cinema. I think it was to see Avatar abuot 15 years ago. The 3D glasses strained my eyes !.

Judging by all the food delivery companies around people don't want to set foot outside their home for a meal and with a large screen TV and streaming sites I can see pavements getting overgrown with weeds.

 

[Thirteen]

I cannot recall when I last went to the cinema. I think it was to see Avatar abuot 15 years ago. The 3D glasses strained my eyes !.

Judging by all the food delivery companies around people don't want to set foot outside their home for a meal and with a large screen TV and streaming sites I can see pavements getting overgrown with weeds.

Maybe that's just Croydon which is seeing this trend!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Maybe that's just Croydon which is seeing this trend!

Could be true. There is not much left of central Croydon to go to these days. Particularly shops.

 

[J-2739]

I cannot recall when I last went to the cinema. I think it was to see Avatar abuot 15 years ago. The 3D glasses strained my eyes !.

Judging by all the food delivery companies around people don't want to set foot outside their home for a meal and with a large screen TV and streaming sites I can see pavements getting overgrown with weeds.

It's moved on quite a bit since the 2010s and 3D films don't have that same potency anymore.

I'm not a regular cinema goer, but for the times I do go, it very does feel like an occasion. The sound, the sights, even the smells. What's the point of investing in expensive accessories for the TV when you barely get much use out of it?

I can't be alone here?

 

[Thirteen]

It's moved on quite a bit since the 2010s and 3D films don't have that same potency anymore.

I'm not a regular cinema goer, but for the times I do go, it very does feel like an occasion. The sound, the sights, even the smells. What's the point of investing in expensive accessories for the TV when you barely get much use out of it?

I can't be alone here?

The more upmarket cinemas like Everyman are bucking the trend in terms of growth. I like going those types of cinemas than multiplexes which tend to attract erm.. riff raff.

 

[richw]

We just had a brand new multi-screen cinema complex opened in Barnsley as part of the new Glassworks development. Can we really confidently say that the cinema as a medium is dead?

We tend to go in winter as something to waste a wet or cold day. My employers discount app gives us tickets to any show for £4.99. Both vue and cineworld are available with similar deals on the app.

We’ve got a vue and a cineworld in Plymouth. Vue is normally my choice as it’s on an out of town leisure complex with a large free car park. Cineworld is in town and would be my choice if we went by public transport, but as it’s a wet day activity we tend to go by car.

 

[Techniquest]

The problems start in Hollywood to be honest, you might be lucky to see a couple of big blockbusters per year these days that you think 'that is worth going to the cinema for', the rest you'll just think I might as well wait for those on DVD/streaming services and watch in peace on your 75" TV at home

When purse strings are as tight as they are for a lot of households at the moment the cinema is also probably quite far down the list of places to visit

A shame for the staff but I can see Cineworld heading in the exact same direction soon too

I've got to agree, especially with the bit about waiting for something to come out on DVD or similar. I remember being interested in watching the new Avatar film, and I was certainly going to watch the Super Mario film in the cinema. I seem to recall though that whenever I had the time for it, the weather was also good for getting out and about.

So I haven't yet seen it, and to be perfectly honest I don't see myself doing so until the winter. Watching films is very much something I only tend to do when the weather is not conducive to going out (strong winds, heavy rain etc), so it's a winter activity for me.

The last film I made sure I went to the cinema for was Sonic The Hedgehog 2, and it was well worth it. Like you say, budgets just don't go that far these days what with food costs getting ridiculous.

As for home cinemas, I'm fortunately not that invested in films so my 34" TV does me just fine

It's moved on quite a bit since the 2010s and 3D films don't have that same potency anymore.

I'm not a regular cinema goer, but for the times I do go, it very does feel like an occasion. The sound, the sights, even the smells. What's the point of investing in expensive accessories for the TV when you barely get much use out of it?

I can't be alone here?

I don't have expensive equipment in my house either, I have a 34" TV, my phone and a 2014 MacBook. The latter I don't use too often, currently it gets used a lot as I'm watching Tour de France on it via GCN+.

My local Odeon is still going, and like yourself on my rare visits it is an occasion. As silly as it sounds, watching something you've been looking forward to seeing with a big fizzy drink cup in the cupholder and a big tub of popcorn, that's quite a treat. I'd be better off drinking water, obviously, during the viewing but fizzy drinks are a rare thing in my average year. So it's a silly treat when I do have one!

Yes I will be doing the exact same thing when Sonic The Hedgehog 3 comes out (sometime in early 2024 I think, not looked yet) and I thoroughly expect to enjoy the experience Assuming of course the Odeon is still in existance by then!

 

[Broucek]

The more upmarket cinemas like Everyman are bucking the trend in terms of growth. I like going those types of cinemas than multiplexes which tend to attract erm.. riff raff.

Sadly, that's all too true. I fear lockdown has made that worse

 

[SuspectUsual]

Our local independent (town council-owned) cinema in Hebden Bridge is doing very nicely, thank you. Blockbusters are not what it is about, but they show a nice selection of historical and art house films....plus quite a few foreign films with subtitles. They also have a nice little bar from which you can take beer, wine, tea, coffee, cakes, biscuits, etc. into the auditorium....so who needs the likes of Cineworld, etc.

Mugs of proper tea as well!

We were there on Friday to see Reality, and there were probably only 50ish punters which was a shame.

Generally they get much better numbers than that

 

[Typhoon]

Wilko is a confusing outfit, but pretty useful! Their DIY and hardware session is ok, as is their selection of flower bulbs.

Not good news for them:

Sky News has learnt that Hilco has agreed to lend about £5m to Wilko as the general merchandise chain faces an intensifying cash squeeze.

The new debt comes in addition to a £40m loan Wilko secured from Hilco at the start of the year.

One retail industry source said the latest injection showed Hilco's intention to support the family-controlled retailer as it races to secure a long-term solution to its financing challenges.

Last week, Sky News revealed that the Wilkinson family, which established the business in 1930, was exploring a change of ownership for the first time as it faces running out of cash within weeks.

Sources said large general merchandise chains had been approached about recapitalising the business in a deal that could see the family relinquishing majority control.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which is advising Wilko, had already started discussions with prospective financial investors about raising new equity to fund the business through a complex restructuring process.

Wilko employs about 12,000 people and trades from 400 stores, making it one of the biggest privately owned retailers in Britain.

In a statement last week, Mark Jackson, Wilko chief executive, said: "We've been very open that we're exploring all the options available to rebound as a business and maximise the significant opportunities that we know exist."

As has been said already, of late they have had empty shelves. Usually only one till open in the ones I visit and I'm not buying much because they haven't got what I want! To me they've always seemed one step up from B&M and Poundstretcher in that they seem like somebody cares, they are neat and tidy.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Not good news for them:

As has been said already, of late they have had empty shelves. Usually only one till open in the ones I visit and I'm not buying much because they haven't got what I want! To me they've always seemed one step up from B&M and Poundstretcher in that they seem like somebody cares, they are neat and tidy.

Further down the slippery slope. £5m won’t last them long (even without factoring in what PwC will be charging). More and more suppliers are insisting on cash up front as they’re being refused credit insurance for their Wilco accounts, which obviously creates yet more cash flow problems. A veritable vicious circle

 

[jon0844]

The more upmarket cinemas like Everyman are bucking the trend in terms of growth. I like going those types of cinemas than multiplexes which tend to attract erm.. riff raff.

I thought cinemas were trying to do more things like showing old classics, having special event weekends, showing sport or even potentially showing ordinary TV series on a big screen. While I have a nice big OLED TV with Dolby Atmos sound, my living room is not a cinema.. but the cost of going to the cinema is a factor, as well as the cost of food and drink. We always take our own sweets and drink, which must mean the cinemas hate us - but then our local Odeon often has what appears to be only a few staff.. with no real checks going in, and tickets sold by the same one or two people that serve the food and drink.

A lack of staff also means that everyone just takes over the premium seating, and it isn't exactly difficult to get in without a ticket at all if you are confident/brazen enough.

Now if you could find a way to show older films, perhaps even being open to hire for private screenings (and not like for upcoming films for which I've attended many, but older films) such as birthday parties or office bonding sessions (with the ability for a boss to talk to his staff before/after), or having evenings with better food and alcohol, you might just be able to make a go of it - but that needs staff and the means to manage such events. Given the cost cutting, I doubt that's really practical in the current climate.

I guess Everyman has found a niche, and I'm surprised others aren't able to copy. I get that some might still be doing some of these things (the fact I don't know is perhaps part of the problem; how do they advertise their services with limited budgets?) but there must be more business opportunities than just hoping to fill out all the seats for a few blockbusters a year. Right now we have two or three big releases, but then there will be a drought in the autumn again.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Wilko going would leave a hole in the provision in towns. I really notice the lack of a Wilko in Croydon - we never had one.

The UK seems to be down to B&Q and Wickes for domestic DIY. Long gone are Homebase, DoItAll, Texas, Payless and a few independents. At the bottom is B&M, Poundstretcher and Home Bargains (which I have seen very busy). Wilko are in between - maybe that is the problem.

The Sainsburys in the middle of Croydon is going in October - albeit it roughly halved in size some decades ago. Leaves us just with the "local"/small food store versions. Now I read Boots is to shed 300 stores and M&S many stores. That will be Croydon left with nothing of note - hang on is there anything else in the UK that is of note ?.

 

[tomuk]

Wilko going would leave a hole in the provision in towns. I really notice the lack of a Wilko in Croydon - we never had one.

The UK seems to be down to B&Q and Wickes for domestic DIY. Long gone are Homebase, DoItAll, Texas, Payless and a few independents. At the bottom is B&M, Poundstretcher and Home Bargains (which I have seen very busy). Wilko are in between - maybe that is the problem.

The Sainsburys in the middle of Croydon is going in October - albeit it roughly halved in size some decades ago. Leaves us just with the "local"/small food store versions. Now I read Boots is to shed 300 stores and M&S many stores. That will be Croydon left with nothing of note - hang on is there anything else in the UK that is of note ?.

What about the myriad Screwfixs and Toolstations?

 

[Jamiescott1]

What about the myriad Screwfixs and Toolstations?

Whats wrong with homebase?

 

[tomuk]

Whats wrong with homebase?

They have had issues for a number of years. Wesfarmers the Australian owner of Bunning's Warehouse the Oz equivalent of B&Q bought them and planned to reinvigorate the chain it was a disaster and they ran back to Australia after selling Homebase to everyone's favourite asset strippers Hilco for £1. There are now about 150 stores which is 120 less than their peak.

 

[Jamiescott1]

They have had issues for a number of years. Wesfarmers the Australian owner of Bunning's Warehouse the Oz equivalent of B&Q bought them and planned to reinvigorate the chain it was a disaster and they ran back to Australia after selling Homebase to everyone's favourite asset strippers Hilco for £1. There are now about 150 stores which is 120 less than their peak.

But Peter said homebase are long gone. 150 stores and being profitable is not long gone.

 

[tomuk]

But Peter said homebase are long gone. 150 stores and being profitable is not long gone.

This is an intresting article on Homebase's trading performance in the Guardian

Hilco took £25m in dividends from Homebase despite £10.6m in Covid aid

Decision by DIY chain’s owner to hold on to government support contrasts with many other large retailers

www.theguardian.com

 

[jon0844]

So it is indeed profitable - for the shareholders anyway!

 

[birchesgreen]

Twitter for sure now, its going to become X.

Hopefully not where X marks the spot.

 

[nlogax]

Hopefully not where X marks the spot.

I don't know.. a part of me would like to see it crash and burn if only to teach Musk a lesson. Unfortunately that would come at the cost of 1500 jobs.

 

[Peter Sarf]

What about the myriad Screwfixs and Toolstations?

True - forgot them and very useful they are too.

But Peter said homebase are long gone. 150 stores and being profitable is not long gone.

I have seen all the Homebases I know of gone. I did subsequently learn there were survivors - then I saw them go !. I had no idea any were still any left - not round Croydon or Cardiff though.

One I forgot is "The Range" where our second nearest Homebase was. I have been in fleetingly and it could be argued it is like Homebase, at least what Homebase were turning into - less diy and more home furnishings.

Twitter for sure now, its going to become X.

Hopefully not where X marks the spot.

I don't know what is going through Elon Musk's mind. Surely the brand name Twitter is too valuable ?. He should have stuck to making expensive electric cars for people with money. Not dabbling in mass market cheap/free stuff.