Takeover announced as cinema closure approaches
GoogleA major chain has declared takeover plans days after the impending closure of a town's cinema was announced.
As Cineworld prepares to vacate premises at the heart of Middlesbrough's town centre, Odeon is preparing to move in.
The cinema on Marton Road is one of several Cineworld sites affected by a national restructuring plan and is expected to close in January.
Landlords Legal and General (L&G) said the building would soon be occupied by Odeon and significantly upgraded.
In a statement, it said a refurbishment project would begin when Cineworld's tenure of the building ended in February.
The announcement marks a return to Middlesbrough for Odeon, which closed its Corporation Road branch in 2001.
The takeover was welcomed by MP Andy McDonald, who said it would help to provide "great options" in the town centre for film fans.
He also welcomed separate proposals for a "boutique" three-screen cinema at Captain Cook Square, which is expected to open in summer 2025.
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