Vue upgrades seats before cinemas reopen

Vue International has 280 cinemas in ten countries, including 92 in Britain. It plans to reopen its British sites on May 17
Vue International has 280 cinemas in ten countries, including 92 in Britain. It plans to reopen its British sites on May 17
GUILHEM BAKER FOR THE TIMES

One of the country’s biggest cinema operators is to spend £60 million over 18 months on improving its sites, including installing more reclining seats.

Vue International will unveil the plans today as it prepares to reopen on May 17.

Tim Richards, its founder and chief executive, said that cinema could be heading for a “new golden age” thanks to a strong slate of upcoming releases as a result of films being put on hold over the past year, including No Time To Die, the latest Bond film.

No Time to Die, the latest Bond film starring Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas, is one of several to have been put on hold over the past year
No Time to Die, the latest Bond film starring Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas, is one of several to have been put on hold over the past year
NICOLA DOVE/DANJAZ,LLC/MGM/PANICOLA DOVE/DANJAZ,LLC/MGM/PA

Vue is Britain’s third biggest cinema operator, with 225 sites in nine countries, including 91 in Britain. It is controlled by Omers and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation, two Canadian investment firms.

At present Vue plans