AMC’s offer to sell the Odeon Printworks cinema in Manchester to Vue

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

Prior to 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 Entertainment Limited (Vue).

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