A MUCH-loved cinema chain branch has pulled down its curtains for the final time after 20 years.
Cineworld left loyal customers and staff devastated after shutting the doors on its branch in Runcorn, Cheshire, on November 26.
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Movie lovers in the area will now have to travel around 10 miles to visit the closest cinema.
It comes just a month after customers of Trident Retail Park Cineworld were told of the closure.
In a message on Facebook, Cineworld, who have 103 other cinemas, said: “After years of providing movie-lovers in Runcorn with a place to feel more, we have made the difficult decision to close Cineworld Runcorn.
“The cinema will remain open until November 26, showing a wide range of film releases.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our movie-loving customers who have chosen to visit Cineworld Runcorn over the years.”
They ended the sad statement saying that people could still visit Cineworld but they’d have to travel.
They continued: “We hope to see you at one of our nearby cinemas soon, including Speke, Warrington, Broughton or St Helens.”
Devastated movie lovers and staff were quick to weigh in with tributes in the comments section of the Facebook post.
One wrote: “I’ve worked here as a cleaner for 18 years. Love the place really is a sad day the Cineword staff are awesome and cleaning team are the best ever.”
“Another one bites the dust!” wrote a filmgoer.
“Genuinely gutted about this. We’ve tried to go as often as possible, and really like the staff. Good luck everyone,” mourned a third.
“I’m really sad to see this, I’ve been coming here for years and as an unlimited card member.
“Such a shame for the staff and one less place for local people to go to,” said another.
In response to the reminder, one loyal customer said: “Yet again Runcorn loses out.
“So sorry about the lovely staff losing their jobs. Thank you.”
Others had previously eerily foreshadowed that the chain’s cinema was “living on borrowed time”.
The Runcorn cinema was in danger of permanently closing after the Covid-19 lockdowns hit it hard.
After not opening back up straight away a resident-led campaign caused enough attention to force the owner’s hand.
Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury previously said that the cinema’s closure would be a “huge blow” to those employed and to local families.
He said: “Losing this cinema will be a huge blow not only for those employed there but for local families who enjoy going there and other businesses that benefit from the footfall it drives.
“I would lay down the gauntlet to other cinema operators in challenging them to consider taking on the unit.
“As Member of Parliament for the area, I would be more than happy to assist in any way I can to make that happen.”
It comes after cinema chain Odeon closed five of its branches in June.
While Empire Cinemas closed multiple sites after falling into administration last month.
