Cineworld cinemas will go dark on Thursday after the delay of the release of a string of long-awaited blockbusters.

London’s Prince Charles Cinema said it will reopen its doors as planned later this month, despite a bleak outlook across the rest of the industry.

The British Film Institute has said it is “deeply concerned” about the challenges facing the cinema industry after shifting movie releases led to the temporary closure of theatres across the UK.

The shortage of new films being released is a “massive problem” for cinemas, the owner of an independent venue has said.

Cineworld said up to 45,000 employees will be affected worldwide as it confirmed plans to temporarily close its cinemas in the UK and the US.

Cineworld’s decision to temporarily close of all of its 127 UK theatres is “shocking” but “not surprising” given the current climate, cinemagoers have said.

The chief executive of Vue Cinemas has said the company will try to avoid lay-offs but is being forced to look at all options, after rival Cineworld closed all its theatres in the UK and US.

Cineworld said up to 45,000 employees will be affected worldwide as it confirmed plans to temporarily close its theatres in the UK and the US – the cinema giant’s two biggest markets.

Cineworld has warned further global coronavirus restrictions or film delays may force it to raise further cash as it revealed half-year losses of 1. 6 billion US dollars (£1. 3 billion).

Cineworld has pushed back the date it plans to reopen its cinemas following the easing of lockdown restrictions.

Cineworld has secured 250 million US dollars (£201 million) in extra funding from private investors as it gears up to reopen its cinemas next month.

Cinema chain Cineworld is set to close its UK sites in the coming weeks. The closures come as the release of the latest James Bond film was further delayed from November to spring 2021, the PA news agency understands.