London, 17 December  2018 – Tim Richards, Vue International Founder and Chief Executive, will attend the UK Government select committee inquiry into the future of England’s high streets and town centres.

The inquiry will examine the future role of the high street in contributing to the local economy and the health, cohesion and cultural life of the local community and the challenges faced amid changing demographics, technological and other trends in recent decades.

Vue International own 285 cinemas internationally, including Vue Entertainment in the UK & Ireland, which operates 90 state-of-the-art cinemas and 863 screens.

Tim Richards, Founder and CEO commented:

“We welcome and appreciate the Committee’s invitation to attend today’s inquiry. Flourishing and vibrant town centres and communities are something we all feel passionately about and cinemas play a significant role in both the daytime and night time leisure and entertainment economy.

It is important to recognise that the leisure, hospitality, entertainment and retail sectors are very diverse and different. But we all play an equal role in supporting the future of the high street. The cinema industry is unique in its experience of achieving straight line growth for the last 50 years in spite of television, VHS and the evolution of online services. Vue Entertainment has also had a record breaking year this year, where the UK industry overall has experienced admission numbers not seen since 1971. We hope our involvement in this important inquiry can help support our neighbours and the future prosperity of the high streets and the town centres we have invested in.

The big screen experience is based on shared social experiences, complete immersion and escapism from day-to-day life. A prosperous and vibrant local community that comes together for shared experiences across sectors is something everyone at Vue champions.”

Ends.