Cineworld has secured 200 million US dollars (£143. 3 million) in new loans to shore up its finances and said it is excited for an “unprecedented slate of films” in the second half of the year.

Cineworld has revealed it slumped to a record 3. 01 billion US dollar (£2. 2 billion) loss in 2020 after closing its cinemas during the pandemic, but is hopeful of strong pent-up demand once sites reopen.

Cineworld has secured a £336 million (450 million US dollars) debt lifeline to help guide the troubled cinema chain through the coronavirus pandemic.

The cinema chain is also considering slashing rents and permanently closing UK cinemas after lockdown restrictions and a lack of blockbuster films caused business to collapse

Cineworld is reportedly considering cutting rents and permanently closing some UK cinemas after being hammered by the coronavirus pandemic.

London’s Prince Charles Cinema said it will reopen its doors as planned later this month, despite a bleak outlook across the rest of the industry.

The British Film Institute has said it is “deeply concerned” about the challenges facing the cinema industry after shifting movie releases led to the temporary closure of theatres across the UK.

The shortage of new films being released is a “massive problem” for cinemas, the owner of an independent venue has said.

Cineworld said up to 45,000 employees will be affected worldwide as it confirmed plans to temporarily close its cinemas in the UK and the US.

Cineworld’s decision to temporarily close of all of its 127 UK theatres is “shocking” but “not surprising” given the current climate, cinemagoers have said.

The chief executive of Vue Cinemas has said the company will try to avoid lay-offs but is being forced to look at all options, after rival Cineworld closed all its theatres in the UK and US.

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.

The Sunday Times reports that 5,500 jobs are at risk if the chain shuts its screens

Cineworld has warned further global coronavirus restrictions or film delays may force it to raise further cash as it revealed half-year losses of 1. 6 billion US dollars (£1. 3 billion).

Cinema chain Cineworld is set to close its UK sites in the coming weeks. The closures come as the release of the latest James Bond film was further delayed from November to spring 2021, the PA news agency understands.