TORONTO, June 15, 2020 /CNW/ – (TSX: CGX) – Cineplex Inc. (“Cineplex”) today announced details of its plans to move its business forward following the abandonment by Cineworld Group plc (“Cineworld”) of its acquisition of Cineplex (the “Transaction”). Cineworld’s decision to abandon the Transaction was a scenario that Cineplex had considered and planned for. Cineplex has developed a robust contingency plan for operating its business and improving its financial position on a go forward basis as one of Canada’s leading entertainment and media companies.
Theatre Reopening Plans
It has been three months since Cineplex temporarily closed its network of theatres and entertainment venues in light of COVID-19 and government-imposed restrictions. During this time, Cineplex has been diligently preparing for their safe reopening with the health and safety of its employees and guests being its top priority. Cineplex has carefully reexamined all of its buildings and processes, so that when its theatres and entertainment venues reopen, it will have implemented an industry-leading program with end-to-end health and safety protocols. At Cineplex’s theatres specifically, it will also be launching reserved seating in all auditoriums across the country to ensure proper physical distancing between its guests.
Cineplex is pleased to see provincial governments begin to loosen restrictions on social gatherings, which will enable it to resume measured operations at its locations of The Rec Room this week in Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton. Cineplex is also working towards reopening six theatres in Alberta on June 26, 2020. In all markets where Cineplex is permitted by government and health authorities, it plans to reopen as many of its locations as it can on July 3, 2020 (or as soon thereafter as permitted by law).
Cineplex has been able to maintain connections with its guests during the period of theatre and venue closures through its online Cineplex Store, as well as the SCENE loyalty program and food offerings delivered via Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes. The company will use these communication channels to ensure that its guests are aware when theatres and other venues are reopened, and the various measures put in place to ensure their safety while enjoying a long-deserved outing.
Financial Stability
To mitigate the negative impact of COVID-19 on its business and financial position, Cineplex has undertaken a variety of measures to support long-term stability including:
- Temporary layoffs of all part-time and full-time hourly employees
- Reducing full-time employee salaries
- Suspending or deferring current capital spending and reviewing all capital projects to consider either deferral or cancellation
- Reducing non-essential discretionary operational expenditures (such as spending on marketing, travel and entertainment)
- Implementing a more stringent review and approval process for all outgoing procurement and payment requests
- Proactively negotiating with landlords for rent relief
- Working with major suppliers and other business partners to modify the timing and quantum of certain contractual payments
- Reviewing and applying for government subsidy programs where available, including the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- Continuing the suspension of dividend
- Focusing on revenue driving opportunities including the expansion of Cineplex Store offerings and expansion of food home delivery from theatres and location-based entertainment venues
Cineplex has developed plans to position itself for long-term financial stability and business success which it can now advance free of the restrictions that had been imposed on it by the terms of the agreement governing the Transaction. Management is confident that Cineplex will be able to address any liquidity issues arising from the impact of COVID-19 as it moves forward in the coming weeks and months.
Due to the uncertainty of the timing of the reductions of government-imposed restrictions and the potential long-term effects that COVID-19 may have on the exhibition and amusement and leisure businesses, COVID-19 is expected to have a prolonged negative impact on Cineplex’s operations. With the unknown duration of the pandemic and yet to be determined timing of the phased reopening of Cineplex’s businesses, as well as consumers’ future risk tolerance regarding health matters, it is not possible to precisely estimate the impact on future results. However, Cineplex is optimistic that the industry will recover over time as consumer demand for the theatrical experience combined with a build-up of anticipated releases of strong film content will help drive visitation as people look to return to normalcy.
