Cineworld at Hengrove Leisure Park in south Bristol, once a popular destination for families and film lovers, is closing its doors, an event that marks the end of an era for the community and highlights broader shifts in the UK cinema landscape. Scheduled to shut on 26 November 2025, this closure leaves south Bristol without a multiplex cinema, intensifying concerns over access to culture and entertainment in an already underserved area.
The Final Curtain for Cineworld Hengrove
Cineworld’s decision to withdraw from Hengrove comes as part of a nationwide restructuring plan leading to the closure of several locations across the UK. The Bristol venue, longstanding anchor of Hengrove Leisure Park, survived the pandemic lockdown and several waves of national cinema closures. Still, sustained financial pressures and shifting consumer habits have taken their toll, with local attendance further affected by the rise of streaming services and changing leisure preferences.
A spokesperson for Cineworld confirmed the closure, citing difficult trading conditions and declining admissions as major challenges facing the chain. For Bristol, this move means the loss of its only remaining south Bristol cinema, a gap hard felt by young people, families, and anyone without the means or desire to travel far for a cinema experience.
Impact on Community and Local Businesses
The closure has prompted strong reactions from local leaders and residents. Councillor Tim Kent described losing Cineworld as a “nail in the coffin” for cultural facilities in the area. Campaigners argue that multiplexes serve not only as entertainment hubs, but as social spaces that connect communities particularly important in urban districts where opportunities for shared experiences are fewer.
The ripple effects extend beyond the big screen. Hengrove Leisure Park’s other businesses restaurants, gyms, bingo halls depend on cinema-goers for much of their trade. When Cineworld shuts, many worry that further closures could follow, risking a domino effect for the site’s economy. The park’s owners have permission to redevelop the site, with plans for more than 350 new homes, but uncertainty lingers about the timetable and whether existing amenities will be replaced.
The National Picture: Cinemas in Crisis
Cineworld’s closure is not a one-off event. In the first half of 2025 alone, the company announced multiple shutdowns as part of a restructuring aimed at addressing nearly £9 billion in global debt. Factors such as higher operational costs, persistent falls in audience numbers since the pandemic, and tougher competition from home streaming have battered UK cinema chains.
Nationally, the number of operating cinemas is shrinking. The UK boasted more than 900 cinemas in 2019, but frequent closures since then, in both major chains and independent venues have reduced this number, especially outside city centres. Campaigners and industry groups warn that the loss of suburban and regional multiplexes is deepening a culture divide, with rural and lower-income communities disproportionately affected.
Changing Bristol’s Entertainment Landscape
As Bristol’s film industry hits new highs boosted by a 55% rise in production activity at The Bottle Yard Studios and an annual economic impact of £46.6 million, the closure of Hengrove’s Cineworld is a paradox. On one side, Bristol is celebrated for attracting high-end TV dramas and feature films, creating jobs and global exposure. On the other, the city’s residents, especially in the south, face ever fewer opportunities to enjoy cinema as a public event.
This contrast has led to calls for policy change and more inclusive investment in culture and leisure. Some hope future housing developments on the Hengrove site might include a new, smaller cinema or community arts venue, in line with trends elsewhere in the UK where local venues, such as community-run cinemas and pop-up film nights are seeing new life in unexpected places.
