45,000 jobs hit as Cineworld shuts UK and US sites

The chain’s theatres will close on Thursday (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Cineworld said up to 45,000 employees will be affected worldwide as it confirmed plans to temporarily close its theatres in the UK and the US – the cinema giant’s two biggest markets.

More than 600 sites will be closed across the two countries from Thursday after the industry was rocked by plans by James Bond studios MGM and Universal to delay the release of the franchise’s latest film.