One of Liverpool's largest cinemas could close permanently due to the pandemic.
The Sunday Times has reported that Cineworld could be set to close all its 128 cinemas in the UK and Ireland due to the financial consequences of Covid.
The delays surrounding the latest James Bond film No Time To Die, which was seen as a lifeline for the industry, are thought to have increased pressure on the cinema chain.
Back in 2018, Cineworld opened a huge site in Speke which is home to 11 screens - including one super-screen, which is the largest on offer from the cinema.
There are also Cineworlds at Runcorn, St Helens and Warrington.
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Sources familiar with the discussions told The Sunday Times that Cineworld could close all its UK sites as early as this week, putting 5,500 jobs at risk.
Cineworld will reportedly ask employees to accept redundancy, with possible incentives to rejoin the company when theatres reopen - probably next year.
But Cineworld Action Group, which represents employees, claimed workers have not been warned of the possible closures.
The group tweeted: "The front page of tomorrow's Times is announcing that Cineworld is planning to close all of its cinemas across the country as soon as this week putting all of our jobs at immediate risk.
"There has been no consultation with staff whatsoever."
No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig, was due to hit UK cinemas on November 12, but on Friday MGM and Britain's Eon Productions said the film would be pushed back to April next year.'
The delay is another blow for the film industry, which has been struggling since the first lockdown in March.
Cineworld said in a statement: “We can confirm we are considering the temporary closure of our U.K. and US cinemas, but a final decision has not yet been reached. Once a decision has been made we will update all staff and customers as soon as we can."
