Blockbusters drive up sales at Cineworld

CASH-STRAPPED consumers boosted sales at cinema operator Cineworld, after a strong line up of 3D film blockbusters drew in the crowds.

Total sales for the 42 weeks to 21 October were up 8.5 per cent year-on-year, with box office takings ahead 8.3 per cent.

The company, which has 801 screens, said it had enjoyed "a healthy performance since the end of June", boosted by popular 3D films such as Shrek Forever After and Toy Story 3.

The figures compared favourably to its results for the first half of 2010, when revenues were up 3.8 per cent to 162 million and box office takings rose 4.1 per cent to 111.7m.

The final quarter of the financial year has a promising film line-up, including Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Tron.

Cineworld added: "The remaining 2010 film line-up, together with our strong performance to date, gives us confidence in delivering continued growth for the full year at least in line with market expectations."