A POPULAR cinema chain is set to shutter three sites for good in just days – and more will follow.

Film fans were devastated to hear their local movie theatres were waving goodbye permanently on October 6.

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 It comes as Cineworld made the tough decision to axe their branches in Glasgow, Bedford, and Swindon.

Meanwhile, other locations in Bedford, Loughborough, and Yate are also set to close in a matter of weeks.

The sites will shut for good on these exact dates:

• Glasgow Parkhead (closing October 6)
• Bedford (closing October 6)
• Swindon Regent Circus (closing October 6)
• Loughborough (closing October 13)
• Yate (closing October 13)

It forms part of a major restructuring plan to help the company survive mid troubling times.

A judge recently gave the green light for £16million to be pumped into Cineworld’s four companies which form the business.

The cash came from the business’s parent company, with an extra £35million to also be made available.

Its four companies. Cine-UK Ltd, Cineworld Cinemas Ltd, Cineworld Cinema Properties Ltd and Cineworld Estates Ltd, will also negotiate leases for each of their 101 sites across the UK.

It comes as the chain is also said to be renegotiating rent agreements for around 50 of its sites.

But, 25 cinemas are set to be unscathed by the restructuring plans and will remain open for the foreseeable future.

A spokesperson for the chain said the plan would enable the business for “the long-term and ensure a sustainable future for Cineworld in the UK.”

However, news of the five closures has devasted locals in the affected areas.

One cinema-goer in Glasgow Parkhead, where Cineworld is set to close on October 6, described the move as “brutal”.

While another said: “I’ve got so many childhood memories of Parkhead Cineworld! Such a major loss.”

It comes after the huge cinema chain revealed it expects to come out of bankruptcy protection in July, after receiving backing from lenders.

The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US last year due to giant debts and loss of revenue.

Meanwhile, another UK cinema chain has fallen into administration and will close multiple sites immediately.

Empire Cinemas operates 14 locations across the country with 129 screens.

A total of six sites will close with immediate effect, including two under the Tivoli brand.

Plus, major cinema chain Odeon has also been forced to shut down several branches.

The movie giant is bringing the curtain down on five of its cinemas forever.

THOUSANDS of lucky customers will have their electricity slashed by 50 per cent this weekend.

British Gas will be be offering customers half price electricity at 11:30 and 1:30 on Saturday and Sunday with its Green Flex event.

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With Green Flex events, customers get half-price electricity when it is very sunny or windy and there is lots of renewable energy available.

This is in addition to its usual half price electricity on Sunday between 11am and 4pm for qualifying customers.

The scheme first launched in December 2022 but has been extended multiple times since.

British Gas uses its own forecasting to set the events to test the potential savings and impact on the grid with this scheme.

The discount is available to new and existing PeakSave customers, and all savings will appear as a credit on customers’ energy bills.

So far, British Gas has paid over £13 million to more than 650,000 customers taking part in the scheme.

Crucially, you can only sign up to the scheme if you have a smart meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.

Smart meters come with a display that shows your gas and electricity use in pounds and pence in real-time.

Their major advantage is that they let you more accurately track how your household habits affect your energy usage.

British Gas says if you don’t have a smart meter, it will install one for free in your home.

Other help to pay for energy bills

If you’re not with British Gas, Ovo Energy has a similar scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.

Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they cut their usage between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.

For example, by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm in the evening to catch up on TV.

You might be able to get free home insulation or have other energy-saving measures installed in your property through the Energy Company Obligation.

The scheme is designed to help low-income households on certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Housing Benefit.

The Government previously told The Sun households eligible for the scheme save around £600 to £700 on their bills each year after having energy-saving measures put in place.

You can find out more on the scheme via the Government’s website.

You might also be able to get help via the Household Support Fund which has been extended by six months until the end of September.

The fund has been shared between councils in England who then allocate their portion to those in need.

That means what you can get depends on where you live and can be a bit of a postcode lottery.

However, the help is usually dished out to those on a low income or benefits.

You should contact your local council to see what help is available.

You can find your nearest council by using the Government’s council locator tool.

AN iconic high street retailer with 1,400 UK stores is set to close its shop in a seaside town centre.

WHSmith is preparing to shut its Bournemouth town centre location early next year as shoppers cried “another bites the dust”.

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Sources close to the business have revealed that WHSmith is set to close its Old Christchurch Road branch, possibly as soon as January.

While the company has not officially confirmed the closure, a spokesperson hinted at the possibility, The Bournemouth Echo reports.

They said: “We keep our store lease agreements under regular review, including at our Old Christchurch Road store in Bournemouth and will share updates on any changes to the store in future.”

In another setback for Bournemouth’s town centre, the soon-to-be-vacant unit is already being advertised by estate agents Goadsby.

The shop is available for rent at £150,000 per annum, with terms open to negotiation.

The Post Office inside the store, however, will remain operational for now, though its future is uncertain.

A Post Office spokesperson confirmed they have not yet received any closure notice from WH Smith.

Bournemouth residents have reacted to the closure on Facebook, with one user commenting: “Another shop of Bournemouth bites the dust!! Shame.”

Another added: “Honestly not surprised, know one really shops in Bournemouth, there’s more shops in Poole, Bournemouth is mainly coffee shops and restaurants then places to actually do any shopping.

“I’d rather go to Poole or Southampton if I need anything.”

A third replied: “Omg soon [there will] be nothing left. Dead town.”

While another person wrote: “WHSmiths has failed to update with the times, it will only get worse.”

WHSmith is closing a number of branches across the UK as it looks to extend its arm into the travel sector.

The retail giant, which runs over 1,100 stores, has shuttered eight stores since March 2023, including in Manchester and Bicester, England.

Meanwhile, the stationer has waved goodbye to branches in Oban, Scotland, and Ramsgate, Kent.

But it also comes amid a time of expansion for the chain, which is opening 15 branches at airports and train stations in 2024 in a boost for shoppers.

A POPULAR drinks brand once stocked in Sainsbury’s and Amazon has been plunged administration.

Natural soft drink company Square Root Drinks appointed and administrator on October 3.

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It comes as the website link has been taken down, while stock is unavailable on Amazon.

The announcement was made on X (formally Twitter) by James Beeson, drinks editor at The Grocer.

He said: “Deeply saddened to hear Square Root London has gone into administration.

“I enjoyed my time working for Ed and Robyn – two people who put everything into the brand – tremendously, and owe them a great deal professionally and personally.

“My heart goes out to them both today.”

Square Root made its retail debut in February 2021, launching into Sainsbury’s through the retailer’s Future Brands initiative.

At the time, the company said it was “exciting to be recognised” by the supermarket as a “bold and authentic brand”.

The brand smashed a £250k crowdfunding drive, overfunding by 230 per cent to hit £577,444 from 570 investors in 2021.

Square Root offered a selection of alcohol-free mocktails and natural soft drink flavours, including Ginger Beer, Cola, non-alcoholic gin and tonic, lemonade, and more.

The company was founded in 2012 by Ed Taylor and Robyn Simms in East London.

Administration is when all control of a company is passed to an appointed licensed insolvency practitioner.

It doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the business.

Administration is when all control of a company is passed to an appointed licensed insolvency practitioner.

It doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the business.

But if the administration process can’t rescue the company or find a new owner, this can lead to liquidation.

Liquidation is the process of selling all assets and then dissolving the company completely.

COST OF LIVING PRESSURES

The number of craft breweries in the UK fell from 1,828 at the start of 2023 to 1,815 at the start of the year.

That now stands at 1,748 according to the latest figures up to June from the Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA).

The SIBA UK Brewery Tracker takes into account all brewery openings and closures to give an accurate picture of the number of active brewing businesses.

Craft breweries have been hit hard by the cost of living crisis and the pandemic.

While many producers pivoted to home deliveries during covid lockdowns, they were then hit by rising costs combined with people reigning ion their spending.

The prices of energy, rents and ingredients have all shot up. They have also faced higher interest rates when borrowing money to grow the business.

SIBA chief executive Andy Slee said when the latest figures on closures were published in July: “Independent brewers are reporting good sales growth and strong consumer demand, yet breweries continue to close.

“For most breweries the challenge is financial pressures from rising costs and market access, as well as lingering Covid debt – something SIBA has strongly lobbied Government for help on.”

THE RETURN of a McDonald’s burger has caused a wild frenzy among its loyal fans, with many calling for its permanent addition to the menu.

The McRib burger will be back on the Golden Arches menu from October 16 to the joy of many hungry diners who are begging for it to stay.

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Taking to social media, many expressed their enthusiasm for the burger’s return with one user calling it “the Greatest McDonalds burger of all time” .

Another commenter said: “My absolute favourite, welcome back Ribby. Please don’t leave us again”.

Whilst others wrote: “It’s what dreams are made of” and “cannot wait, it’s been way too long”.

Another user added: “I’m so getting one I loved them back in the day”

The pork-based patty, which is lathered in smoky BBQ sauce, pickles and onions and encased in a homestyle bun, is back on menus for a limited time from mid October.

The burger first launched in the UK in 1981 and has been hailed as one of the best Mcdonald’s burgers of all time by some fans.

Thomas O’Neill, head of menu at McDonald’s UK, said: “We have heard our fans loud and clear – the fan petitions and pleas on social – and after almost a decade of anticipation, we are thrilled to bring back this iconic menu item.

“Knowing how well-loved the McRib is, we had very little choice – we had to make it happen.”

Though the fast-food chain’s owners have not revealed how long the popular burger will be on the menu for, limited edition foods are usually around for about six weeks.

It will be on sale for £4.49 as an individual item or £6.19 as part of a medium extra-value meal deal, which means it comes with fries and a medium drink.

At 509 calories, the burger is more calorific than a Double Cheeseburger, McChicken and Bacon Double Cheeseburger as well.

Despite most diners excitement some have not been so keen, with one social media user likening the product to “gas station food”.

“I must be the only one that thinks it’s horrible,” said another.

Whilst another commenter wrote: “Yay, another reason for me to stay away from McDonald’s” .

One user even joked: “How about the McHeartAttack or the McBigBelly?”

According to one of our Sun reporters who tried it ahead of its launch, despite the burger looking visually unimpressive, the pork patty is super tender and “better than other burgers” .

But, he added, the burger felt quite sickly because of the abundance of BBQ sauce, which he felt was too sweet.

McRib’s addition comes after McDonald’s confirmed the arrival of a pack of mini hash browns, which will come in a portion of five or 15, with prices starting from £1.49.

These will roll out from October 16 but it is unclear whether or not the snack will become a permanent feature on the menu.

WETHERSPOONS has confirmed that 26 of its pubs have closed for good since July 2023, with five more at risk.

Pubs have closed in locations across the UK, including Stafford, London, Halifax and Penarth.

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A further five pubs have also been put up for sale, four of which are already under offer.

The Ivor Davies in Cardiff is up for sale, while the four pubs under offer are the Sir Daniel Arms in Swindon, the Hain Line in St Ives, the Foot of the Walk in Leith and the Quay in Poole.

Under offer may mean that a bid is being considered or has been accepted.

But as the sale has not been finalised the pub remains on the market.

Wetherspoons regularly reviews the branches it has up for sale and has often taken venues off the market to continue operating as part of the pub chain.

In its annual report published today the pub giant said the disposal of the 27 pubs it has closed gave rise to a cash inflow of £8.9 million.

Wetherspoons has sold the freehold of premises it owned outright and returned others to their landlords.

The pub sites sold may reopen to welcome drinkers under their new owners.

Landlords could also find new tenants, so Wetherspoons’ departure doesn’t necessarily mean the loss of a pub for locals.

The sites closed are:

• The Saltoun Inn, Fraserburgh – sold
• Widow Frost, Mansfield – sold
• General Sir Redvers Buller, Crediton – sold
• Butler’s Bell, Stafford – sold
• Coronet, Holloway Road, London – sold
• White Hart, Todmorden – sold
• Asparagus, Battersea – sold
• Mock Beggar Hall, Moreton – sold
• Sir Norman Rae, Shipley – sold
• Lord Arthur Lee, Fareham – sold
• Market Cross, Holywell – sold
• The Cross Keys, Peebles – sold
• The Regent, Kirkby in Ashfield – sold
• An Geata Arundel, Waterford – sold
• Jolly Sailor, Hanham – sold
• Millers Well, Purley, Halifax – sold
• The London & Rye in Rushey Green, Catford – sold
• Bankers Draft, Eltham – returned to landlord
• Sir John Arderne, Newark – returned to landlord
• Night Jar, Ferndown – returned to landlord
• Moon and Bell, Loughborough – returned to landlord
• Capitol, Forest Hill – returned to landlord
• Hart and Spool, Borehamwood – returned to landlord
• Alfred Herring, Palmers Green – returned to landlord
• Tichenham Inn, Ickenham – returned to landlord
• Bears Head, Penarth – returned to landlord

Wetherspoons has also opened two new sites in the last 12 months – The Captain Flinders near Euston Station and the Star Light at Heathrow Airport, and The Grand Assembly in Marlow.

A number of sites have also been expanded including the Red Lion,
Skegness; the Talk of the Town, Paignton; the Albany Palace, Trowbridge and the Mile Castle, Newcastle.

Wetherspoons, which has around 800 pubs across the UK, continues to draw crowds with ambitions openings.

A huge new £3.5million pub opened in the countryside town of Marlow, in Buckinghamshire, on September 24.

Plus, Wetherspoon opened its first pub at a holiday park at Haven’s Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire in March.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Wetherspoons boss Sir Tim Martin he is planning to ramp up plans to launch “Super Spoons” pubs – making existing sites even bigger.

It has recently made a big bet on giant pubs, such as its one in Ramsgate which can cater up to 1,400 punters.

And work on its “Super Spoons” in Newcastle is now underway which will include a 26-bedroom hotel and 3,000 sq ft beer garden.

Martin also exclusively revealed to The Sun that he would not be putting up prices this year in good news for drinkers.

In its annual report to for FY24 Wetherspoons reported sales of £2,036million – an increase of 5.7% on the previous year.

Like-for-like sales were up 7.6%, driven by an 8.9% increase in bar sales and a 5.6% increase in food sales.

Profit before tax saw a dramatic uptick from £42.6m in FY23 to £73.9, in FY24.

Martin has previously said he aims to have 1,000 pubs.

What is happening to the hospitality industry?

Many food and drink chains have been struggling in recent years as the cost of living has led to fewer people eating out.

Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation.

Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny’s closing branches.

Some chains have not survived. Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.

Pizza giant Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon.

Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.

How can I save money at Wetherspoons?

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FREE refills – Buy a £1.50 tea, coffee or hot chocolate and you can get free refills. The deal is available all day, every day.

Check a map – Prices can vary from one location the next, even those close to each other.

So if you’re planning a pint at a Spoons, it’s worth popping in nearby pubs to see if you’re settling in at the cheapest.

Choose your day – Each night the pub chain runs certain food theme nights.

For instance, every Thursday night is curry club, where diners can get a main meal and a drink for a set price cheaper than usual.

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Pick-up vouchers – Students can often pick up voucher books in their local near universities, which offer discounts on food and drink, so keep your eyes peeled.

Get appy – The Wetherspoons app allows you to order and pay for your drink and food from your table – but you don’t need to be in the pub to use it. 

Taking full advantage of this, cheeky customers have used social media to ask their friends and family to order them drinks. The app is free to download on the App Store or Google Play.

Check the date – Every year, Spoons holds its Tax Equality Day to highlight the benefits of a permanently reduced tax bill for the pub industry.

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It usually takes place in September, and last year it fell on Thursday, September 14.

As well as its 12-day Real Ale Festival every Autumn, Wetherspoons also holds a Spring Festival.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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