CINEWORLD, THE UK’s second largest cinema operator, wants to expand in the Republic. The company’s chief executive, Stephen Wiener, yesterday signalled that its Irish growth plans were at an advanced stage.

“We are in detailed discussions at several new locations in Ireland, but as everyone knows the economy in Ireland has been hit a lot harder than it has been here in the UK so it’s a little more difficult to get things started there,” he said. “We are still working on it, and making regular visits there.”

Cineworld already operates a high-profile cinema at Parnell Street, Dublin, with the facility known to be among the most profitable in the group’s network.

The company yesterday reported a 22 per cent fall in first-half profit as customers chose to watch the World Cup rather than releases such as Sex and the City 2.

Net income for the 26 weeks to July 1st fell to £8 million, from £10.3 million in the 27 weeks to July 2nd last year, the London-based company said in a statement. Admissions fell 3 per cent from the equivalent period last year.

Customers were distracted by the World Cup, Mr Wiener said.

“Whenever there is a major event that everyone in the industry knows is going to distract people from going to the cinema, most of the big films are moved out from that period, which is what happened this year.

“The industry had a good period in July, and the product line-up looks great for August as well.”

Toy Story 3,available in 3-D, has grossed £61 million for all UK chains since its release, Mr Wiener said.

First-half releases such as Avatarand Alice in Wonderlandwere also popular in 3-D, helping to establish the format with the "mainstream cinema audience", the company said.

The top 10 highest-grossing films made up more than half of Cineworld’s box office take in the first six months, compared with 35 per cent a year earlier. – (Bloomberg)