CMA gives blessing to big Manchester cinema deal

The Competition and Mergers Authority has accepted an offer by AMC to sell the Odeon Printworks cinema in Manchester to Vue in order to maintain choice for customers.

In December, the CMA announced that AMC (UK) Acquisition’s purchase of Odean and UCI Holdings would face an in-depth investigation unless AMC could address concerns over the merger’s effect on competition between  cinemas in the city.

Before the merger, AMC operated a 16-screen multiplex in Manchester (the AMC Great Northern) and Odeon operated several cinemas in the Manchester area including the Odeon Printworks, a 20-screen multiplex.

To remedy the CMA’s competition concerns, AMC offered to sell the Odeon Printworks to Vue.

After considering responses to a formal consultation, the CMA has concluded that AMC’s offer is sufficient to address the CMA’s concerns.