Reading Film Theatre is closing its curtains after 50 years
Its final showing will be on 9th December
Reading Film Theatre has announced it will be closing its curtains after 50 years due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
As audience numbers have failed to return to pre-pandemic levels it was no longer possible to operate, the theatre said in a statement.
Though superhero and event films have managed to draw larger audiences to cinemas, adult character-driven genres are "still at only 30% of pre-Covid numbers".
RTF also said it has faced "significant IT issues" with its projection equipment as there was no routine maintenance during lockdown.
Dealing with this problem has resulted in major unbudgeted expense, the theatre added.
The theatre's final film will be Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' on 9th December.
Another part of RTF's statement read:
"With great regret and sadness, the decision has been taken to bring to an end 50 years of ground-breaking independent and foreign language cinema at RFT. This step has not been taken lightly, but with the heaviest of hearts.
"We would like to thank all our wonderful audiences, past and present, for being part of such an exciting journey across half a century of great nights at RFT."