Cineworld Glasgow

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Cineworld Glasgow
Cineworld Glasgow.jpg
Cineworld taken from West Nile Street, with St Andrew House to the left.
Cineworld Glasgow
Former namesUGC Glasgow Renfrew Street (2001–2005)
Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street (2005–2025)
General information
Type Cinema
Location7 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Coordinates 55°51′54″N4°15′19″W / 55.86489°N 4.25517°W / 55.86489; -4.25517
Opened21 September 2001
Inaugurated2000
Closed28 September 2025
Owner Omniplex Cinemas
Height62 m (203 ft)
Technical details
Structural systemSteel frame
Other information
Seating capacity4,300

Cineworld Glasgow Renfrew Street was a cinema on Renfrew Street, Glasgow, Scotland, located in the north-east of the city centre. The cinema, which was first operated by UGC and then by Cineworld, opened in September 2001 and closed in September 2025. The cinema building is still present and is located next to Buchanan Bus Station and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Contents

At 62 m (203 ft) tall, the building is the tallest cinema complex in the world. [1] [2] [3] [4] The building is equivalent in height to the 18-storey St Andrew House which stands immediately adjacent.

History

Origins and opening

The cinema was built on the site of The Glasgow Apollo (1973–1985), which was formerly Green's Playhouse (1927–1973). After the Apollo closed in June 1985, it was demolished in September 1987. The cinema was opened as the UGC Cinema on 21 September 2001. [4] In 2005, it became part of the Cineworld chain, when then-owners UGC sold all of its UK cinemas. Green's Playhouse, the original cinema on the site, previously held a record for being Europe's largest cinema in terms of number of seats (4,368). At over 60 metres (200 ft), and with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records, Cineworld Glasgow became the world's tallest cinema. However, during the cinema's construction, the building design came under heavy criticism from the architecture community.

In 2000, the building was designated the "Carbuncle of the Year" in an internet vote organised by Prospect magazine, its panel of judges criticising the design's contrast with the surrounding area. [5]

By 2003 it was the busiest cinema in the United Kingdom by admissions, [6] having attracted over 1.8 million patrons that year. [7] The building has 18 screens over six levels, and can accommodate over 4,300 people. [6] The building's most distinctive feature is the huge glass curtain wall on the east face, which houses a system of criss-crossing escalators which are lit neon blue at night, although some are more drawn to the large elevator which runs up the side of the building.

Closure and future use

The cinema building was acquired for a reported £7M in May 2025 by Clydebankbridge Ltd, a subsidiary of Omniplex Cinemas. [8] [9] On 24 July 2025 it was reported that the building owner wanted to take back the site. [10] Cineworld confirmed closure of the cinema in August 2025, [11] with the cinema closing following the final screening on 28 September 2025. [12]

There have been no announcements by the owner on the future use of the building.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Roland, Denise (20 November 2016). "Cineworld and its founder: nine things you did not know". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  2. ↑ "Cineworld Cinema Renfrew St". Gallivant in Glasgow – The ultimate Glasgow guide, by Glasgows people. Glasgowvant Attractions. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Glasgow Cinemas Information". Information on cinemas in glasgow. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Glasgow's 'world's tallest cinema' to close down for good". The National. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Cinema 'Sight for Sore Eyes'". BBC News. 17 November 2000. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  6. 1 2 "UGC / Cineworld City Centre". Scottish Cinemas and Theatres Project. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "West End Walks of Glasgow". Scottish Cinemas and Theatres Project. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Cineworld: Landmark Glasgow cinema to close in September". BBC News. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  9. ↑ "Glasgow cinema shut amid queries over future of famous venue". The Herald. 29 September 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "'World's tallest cinema in Glasgow could be closed down'". Glasgow Times. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "Cineworld: Landmark Glasgow cinema to close in September". BBC News. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
  12. ↑ Loudon, Calum (29 September 2025). "Cineworld officially leaves world's tallest cinema after two decades". STV News. Retrieved 29 September 2025.
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