Response to Competition Commission Announcement

RNS Number : 0431M

Cineworld Group plc

20 August 2013

CINEWORLD GROUP plc

Cineworld Group plc ("Cineworld") notes the Competition Commission's Notice of Provisional Findings published today and in particular its provisional view that the acquisition of Picturehouse by Cineworld may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition in three local areas. Cineworld also notes the Commission's proposals to remedy any harm to competition in these areas, such as divestment of an appropriate Picturehouse or Cineworld cinema.

Cineworld confirms that the local areas in question are Aberdeen, Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge.

The Commission's findings are provisional at this stage and Cineworld now has an opportunity to respond before the Commission issues its final decision in October.

Commenting on the announcement, Stephen Wiener, Chief Executive Officer of Cineworld Group plc, said: "We are disappointed that in these three locations we have been unable to convince the Competition Commission that Cineworld and Picturehouse are two fundamentally different businesses that could operate in the same area. Nevertheless the combination of the two businesses will remain strategically compelling, as our recent results showed clearly, and we are committed to continuing the expansion and investment into both."

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