Odeon Cinemas

EDM number 435 in 2000-01, proposed by Neil Gerrard on 13/03/2001.

That this House deplores the actions of Odeon Cinemas in selling the one remaining cinema in Walthamstow while putting conditions in the contract of sale so that the cinema cannot show English language films under its new ownership, despite the willingness of the new owner to use the three screens to show a variety of films, including both Indian and English language films, a mix which would be welcomed by the residents of Walthamstow; notes also that this is one example of a practice being adopted by Odeon of selling cinemas with conditions which are designed to prevent the new owners being able to compete in any way with other Odeon cinemas; regrets the fact that current Fair Trading legislation appears to be ineffective in dealing with this flagrant abuse; urges the Government to consider what action can be taken to stop this practice; and calls upon Odeon Cinemas to reconsider their actions so that people in Walthamstow and elsewhere are able to see a variety of films at their local cinemas.

This motion has been signed by a total of 26 MPs.