Apollo Cinemas

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Apollo Cinemas was a locally focused, independently owned multiplex cinema operator in the United Kingdom. It showed mainstream blockbusters, independent film and onscreen entertainment such as music concerts, sporting events, opera, and ballet.

Contents

Apollo had 14 cinemas nationwide, with plans to open new sites in Brentwood [1] and Bicester. [2]

On 25 January 2013, the acquisition by Vue Cinemas was completed with sites transferred to the Vue brand over the coming months. 4 sites were sold to Reel Cinemas with the final site sold to Curzon Cinemas. [3] [4]

Offer

The company’s vision is to be a local entertainment hub by updating the cinema experience in two ways. Firstly, by developing its offer to show non-film product onscreen such as music concerts, sporting events, opera and ballet. And, secondly by developing new cinemas to include café-bars, lounge areas, gaming and Wi-Fi, wherever possible within existing sites. [5]

Apollo was the first fully digital circuit in the UK, beginning its transition away from 35mm print in 2009. [6] The estate is equipped with Sony 4K Digital Cinema projection, Real D screens and Dolby Surround sound. This equipment produces a picture detail at the highest level that the human eye can see.

History

Once part of the large Apollo Leisure Group, Apollo Cinemas has a heritage in entertainment, live music and theatre. After Leisure was sold to Clear Channel Entertainment, Apollo Cinemas was formed in April 2002 to purchase the UK cinema assets back. The acquisition was financed by Mrs Anita Gregg and HSBC. It comprised 11 cinemas and substantial investment led to the opening of new cinemas in London (2004), Fareham and Stroud (both 2005), Altrincham (2006) and Redditch (2007), together with significant improvement to the original cinema estate.

Apollo Cinemas Ltd was the UK's largest independent chain and accounts for around 1.25% of total UK box office admissions. It was the UK's 6th largest cinema operator in terms of number of screens with 83 screens over 14 sites.

On 11 May 2012 it was announced that Vue Cinemas were to buy Apollo Cinemas for £20m. [3] On 25 January 2013, the sale was cleared by the OFT after Vue agreed to sell 4 sites to Reel Cinemas. [4]

Escape Magazine

Escape is a free bi-monthly film magazine published for and given away at Apollo Cinemas. It features information and posters for upcoming films at Apollo Cinemas. The magazine was also available to read on the Apollo website.

Former locations

Due to the acquisition of Apollo Cinemas by Vue Cinemas, a number of sites were sold to Reel Cinemas.

Apollo Cinemas, Piccadilly Circus, London Apollo Cinemas West End, Piccadilly Circus, London.jpg
Apollo Cinemas, Piccadilly Circus, London
Town/CityCountryScreensSony Digital Cinema 4K 3D ScreensSold to
Altrincham, Greater Manchester England 6YesVue
Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria England6YesVue
Burnley, Lancashire England9Reel
Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire Wales 6YesVue
Fareham, Hampshire England 5Reel
Leamington Spa, Warwickshire England6YesVue
Morecambe, Lancashire England4Reel
Piccadilly Circus, Westminster, London England5YesVue
Port Talbot, Neath Port Talbot Wales6Reel
Redditch, Worcestershire England7YesVue
Rhyl, Denbighshire Wales5YesVue
Stafford, Staffordshire England3YesVue
Stroud, Gloucestershire England6YesVue
Torbay, Devon England9YesVue

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References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-09-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-09-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. 1 2 "Vue Acquires Apollo Cinemas For £20m". Blazing Minds.
  4. 1 2 "OFT accepts sale of four cinemas to remedy merger concerns". Office of Fair Trading. Archived from the original on 2013-05-01. Retrieved 2013-03-15.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2011-09-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ↑ http://www.sony.co.uk/biz/content/id/1237478355362/section/home?preserveContext=true
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