UCI To Launch £100m Expansion Plan

United Cinemas International (UCI) has confirmed a £100m expansion plan as part of its campaign to remain the largest multiplex cinema chain in the UK. UCI will open six new sites across the country by the end of 1997 and is set to announce plans for at least another four cinemas before the year’s end. UCI is currently exploring possible developments in ten additional locations.

The new developments include;

Each site will have between 9 and 12 screens, and a seating capacity of up to 3,500. UCI’s expansion plans come at a time when other cinema operators are also exanding aggressively; Virgin, which acquired MGM Cinemas last year announced plans to build 10 multiscreens, and Time Warner plans to spend £140m on 20 multiplexes over the next two years.

Steve Knibbs, UCI Managing Director and Vice President commented, “Despite tough competition, we have no intention of handing over our pole position in the cinema exhibition market. These new sites are key to our expansion project and to our overall vision for the future of cinema-going….This is just the start of UCI’s plans for the next millenium and we will continue to lead where others can only follow.”

UCI: 0171 455 4000