To the Imax: 3-D format set for major UK expansion

Large-screen cinema operator Imax is poised for a major expansion of its UK chain.

There are currently 14 of the group’s cinemas in the UK, but chief executive Richard Gelfond is understood to want to grow this number to about 50 over the next five to seven years.

Interest in Imax screens has surged recently with a number of blockbusters made specifically for the format.

The Canadian firm currently has more than 520 screens in operation around the world, with operators licensed to use the Imax name.

New releases such as Cars 2 and the latest Transformers film have been made specifically to be shown on a large screen format.