Upset as town centre cinema set to close

Cinemagoers have expressed their dismay at the closure of a town centre venue.

Cineworld said its site in Middlesbrough Leisure Park on Marton Road would cease trading on 19 January as part of a national restructure.

The closure means the town centre will be without a cinema until construction is completed on a new three-screen complex in Captain Cook Square in the summer.

Local film fan Mal Lythe said: "Might as well just close Middlesbrough to be honest".

He added: "Cineworld has been my spot since 2007, it's always been that reliable place for me."

People commenting on a Facebook post announcing the closure said they were "heartbroken" as well as "gutted" for the staff.

Middlesbrough is one of six closures announced following a major restructuring process, Cineworld said.

The leisure firm did not reveal how many jobs would be impacted by the closures.

However, a spokesperson said it planned to invest about £35m across its estate, particularly in refurbishing existing cinemas.

Middlesbrough Council said work was continuing on a new "boutique" cinema in the town centre.

It added the Showcase Cinema at Teesside Park technically sits within the council boundary, whereas the shopping side of the complex falls under Stockton Borough Council's jurisdiction.

Additional reporting by PA Media

Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]