WEYMOUTH'S Cineworld has announced it is shutting down at the end of the year.

The shock announcement was made today by the company.

The company said the Weymouth closure came after discussions with the landlord of the New Bond Street site which it said had "rejected our proposals".

The business, which is part of the world’s second-largest cinema chain, has struggled since the Covid pandemic as audiences have failed to return to previous levels.

In the summer, Cineworld announced plans to shut a number of sites across the UK as part of major restructuring plans - although Weymouth was not on the list.

However the cinema chain said alongside the closure of six branches, it would also seek to negotiate rent reductions for other branches.

Cineworld, which also owns Picturehouse, entered administration in July 2023 – struggling with debt estimated to be almost £4 billion.

Weymouth Cineworld said in a statement today : "After 25 years of providing movie lovers with a place to feel more, we regret to inform you that, following the landlord's decision to reject our proposals, we will be closing on December 30.

"Unlimited members will be contacted shortly via email with details about membership cancellations and options to transfer to another Cineworld site.

"We would like to thank all of our customers for choosing Cineworld Weymouth as their local cinema and we hope to see you again soon at your nearest Cineworld in Poole."