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Cineworld, the UK's only publicly quoted cinema chain, continued to get more bums on its seats and get them to pay more for the privilege, even against the tough comparables of the Mamma Mia quarter.
Last summer's Abba musical was the highest-grossing film ever, but Cineworld managed to rake in 6.5% more revenue this year in the 43 weeks to October than in the same period in 2008.
Box-office revenue rose 10.9% as more film lovers flocked to see Up, Harry Potter and Ice Age 3.
Finance director Richard Jones said sales would be higher in the run-up to Christmas with Avatar and A Christmas Carol expected to pull in the crowds but admitted the stagnant property market is limiting Cineworld's growth ambitions. “Expansion is very difficult at the moment because leisure-park developments are just not going ahead,” he said.
“Restaurants and retailers are not signing up to space, and developers can't access funding. We're trying to expand but have no planned openings next year.”
Jones said Cineworld was growing its 3D estate instead. “It commands a premium ticket price because it's a unique product that you can't see elsewhere.”
The cinema chain said demand for its unlimited pass was booming, with over 230,000 members.
Jones added: “Cinema is very resilient, people are still going and we've got some strong products out there.”
