A cinema on the Essex border has closed permanently after being repossessed by its landlord.

Premiere Cinemas Romford, in the Mercury Shopping Centre, announced its closure today (August 20).

In a statement on social media, it said: "We are sorry to announce that Premiere Cinemas has closed.

"Thank you Romford for all of your support over the last 12 years."

A spokesperson for landlord Rank Group Gaming Division confirmed that it has seized the Premiere Cinemas premises.

The spokesperson said: "On Friday 16th August, Rank Group Gaming Division took possession of this premises from the sub-tenant for commercial reasons."

Premiere Cinemas previously claimed - in a now deleted statement on its website - that the closure was down to a "long running dispute" with its landlord.

It also alleged there were "serious structural defects" affecting its cinema, that the landlord was aware of "prior to our lease of the cinema".

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The cinema previously claimed, in a now deleted statement, that the closure was due to 'structural defects' with the buildingPremiere Cinemas is saying goodbye to Romford after 12 years (Image: Google Street)

Rank Group Gaming Division said it is not the superior landlord of the property and has "no control over the material fabric and structure of the shopping centre as a whole".

The Mercury Mall is owned by the Martin Property Group, who we contacted for comment.

Spencer Hawken, the shopping centre's manager and representative of the superior landlord, said there is "categorically nothing wrong with the structure of the cinema or the building".

The Recorder has contacted Premiere Cinemas Romford for comment but did not receive a reply, although the cinema's management said that "any missed bookings will be refunded and contacts will be replied to".