UCI Cinemas

United Cinemas International or UCI is owned by Terra Firma Capital Partners. [1]

UCI was formed as a partnership of Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios initially to build cinemas in the UK. Under chairman Tom McGrath the group expanded to build and operate cinemas in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, China, Taiwan and Brazil. In the UK the company formerly operated cinemas under the UCI and thefilmworks brands.

UCI also aquired Virgin Cinemas from the Virgin Group Which was created when virgin aquired MGM Cinemas.

In late 2004 the European division of UCI was bought by Terra Firma Capital Partners, along with rival chain, Odeon Cinemas. The majority of UK UCI and thefilmworks cinemas are in the process of being re-branded to use the Odeon name. As a condition of the merger with Odeon Cinemas (imposed by the Office of Fair Trading), UCI Clydebank, UCI Poole, UCI Sutton, UCI Basildon, The Empire Leicester Square and thefilmworks High Wycombe have been sold to Empire Cinemas. The merger has recently been completed, although certain elements of former UCI cinemas still retain the UCI look and feel.

The UCI, UCI/Kinowelt and Cinesa brands will remain in Ireland and the rest of Europe. For details of current/former UCI cinemas in the UK visit Odeon Cinemas and Empire Cinemas.

Current locations (cinemas that will remain UCI)

Republic Of Ireland

• Dublin — Blanchardstown
• Dublin — Coolock
• Dublin — Tallaght

External links

• UCI Cinemas, UK Site which will disappear once upon completion of merger with Odeon
• UCI Cinemas, Republic Of Ireland Site