BLOCKBUSTER films such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland have helped boost revenues at Cineworld.
The group, which has 77 cinemas in the UK, including in Middlesbrough and Boldon, South Tyneside, reported strong trading during the 18 weeks to May 6, with total revenues up 13.9 per cent on the same period last year.
It said the performance had been driven by a 14.6 per cent jump in box office takings, following the release of films such as Avatar – the highest grossing movie of all time.
Cineworld dismissed concerns that it would suffer due to the World Cup, saying major films, such as Robin Hood and Sex and The City 2, would all be released before it started, in anticipation of fewer people going to the cinema during the tournament.
As a result, it expects its performance during the first half to be comfortably ahead of last year, although overall growth will be below this year to date.
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