MINISTERS URGED TO ACT TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL CINEMAS SURVIVE

3.35.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 27th Jan 2005

David Rendel MP's campaign to support local cinemas continued on the floor of the House of Commons today.

In an oral question to the Department of Trade and Industry Minister, Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Mr Rendel raised the issue of the increasing proportion of screens which are concentrated in multiplexes, most of which are owned by just a handful of companies.

He asked the Minister to discuss with his Ministerial colleagues rate relief for local cinemas and making it unlawful to use a cinema for any other purpose without getting full planning permission. These measures were proposed by Mr Rendel in his Cinemas (Rural Areas) Bill last year, and have recently been endorsed by Time Out magazine.

Commenting, Mr Rendel said:

"I am delighted that this seems to be an issue the Government is looking at. With over 70% of cinema screens concentrated in multiplex cinemas, most of which serve urban or suburban communities rather than rural areas and small towns, action is needed to ensure that people have access to films on the big screen."

ENDS

Note to editors:

Recent years have seen a growing concentration of cinema exhibition and ownership in the UK.

Multiplex venues accounted for 71% of UK cinema screens in 2003 compared to 10% in 1988, 37% in 1995 and 57% in 1999.

Over three-quarters of multiplex screens are owned by just five companies and over 50% are owned by just three.

(Source: UK Film Council; Media Pocket Book 2000, p. 126)