Cineworld finds happy ending in poor year

Multiplex chain Cineworld has hailed a “creditable” box office performance after overcoming a barren year for the release of blockbuster films.

The group, which has more than 100 sites under the Cineworld and Picturehouse brands, said its box office market share rose by one percentage point to 27.4 per cent as admissions lifted 1.4 per cent last year. Adjusted profits improved by 10.4 per cent to £44.7m.

In contrast to the previous year when there were three blockbuster films, including the record-breaking Skyfall, 2013 was short of major hits.