CINEMA bosses have confirmed they are considering the temporary closure of their UK theatres.

Reports in the Sunday Times had said all Cineworld multiplexes were set to be closed until April as blockbusters kept being delayed.

The plan includes the cinema at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon.

Cineworld said in a statement: “We can confirm we are considering the temporary closure of our UK 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.”

READ MORE: Cineworld theatres 'set to temporarily close'

Cineworld had reopened most of its cinemas, including the Basildon multiplex, in July when lockdown measures were eased across the country.

Classic movies were screened due to the lack of new releases.

The delay to the latest James Bond blockbuster No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s final outing as 007, is said to be the last straw for the cinema chain.

It was supposed to be released in the next few weeks but has now been put back to April.

Disney’s live action remake of Mulan was also pulled from cinema release and moved to its subscription service Disney Plus.

David Kirkman, Labour councillor for Fryerns ward, said: “It is a really sad situation and an indictment on the current state of affairs.

“They employ quite a lot of people in Basildon - I just hope they are able to find a way around it which avoids this.

“It is going to impact a lot of businesses.

“I myself have been to see a movie there and gone to Frankie and Benny’s afterwards and it is going to have a real impact on the leisure park.”