Second set of film fans aim to save closing cinema

A second petition to save a Cineworld cinema set to close has been signed by nearly 200 people.

Cineworld said its site at Sixfields Leisure in Weedon Road, Northampton, would cease trading on Sunday, but would be reopened as an Odeon cinema later this year.

The petition, which was started on 11 December, said the cinema and its staff "provide a lot of love for a lot of people".

According to Cineworld, the site is one of six nationwide where the landlords chose to reclaim their properties after the "completion of our restructuring plan".

Ed James, who started the petition, said: "We want to save Northampton Cineworld. People have unlimited cards that they can no longer use."

A previous petition to keep Northampton's Cineworld open garnered more than 800 signatures, calling its closure "another important staple of our town being taken away".

A similar petition to the save the Odeon in Kettering was signed by more than 2,000 people, but the council approved its demolition.

A spokesperson from Cineworld said: "We're humbled by the loyalty of our Northampton customers and understand the affection they have for Cineworld Sixfields."

The company pointed customers to Cineworld Rushden Lakes, which is located roughly 18 miles (29km) north-east.

An Odeon spokesperson said: "We are excited to open our newly refurbished cinema in Northampton later in the year and welcome guests through our doors. We will have more information to share in due course."

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