Cineworld starts talks with Regal shareholders to reschedule payments

(Alliance News) - Cineworld Group PLC said on Tuesday it has reached out to former dissenting ...

Alliance News 1 February, 2022 | 8:56AM
Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

(Alliance News) - Cineworld Group PLC said on Tuesday it has reached out to former dissenting Regal Entertainment Group shareholders to reschedule its payment obligations relating to their earlier settlement.

In May of last year, the London-based cinema chain received a judgment regarding the price that Regal shareholders were dealt, when Cineworld took over the US cinema business in early 2018. The claim was judged to be around USD255 million.

In September, Cineworld reached an agreement with Regal to pay USD170 million, and hold a further USD92 million in an escrow account, to have liquidity available to it if needed. The escrow funds were due to be paid by the end of March.

Cineworld is now starting discussions with Regal to reschedule these payments, "with the aim of maximising its available liquidity", it said.

In order to facilitate the discussions, it has obtained waivers or undertakings to waive from various other creditors, in the event of any non-payment of the settlement. The creditors include holders of its guaranteed convertible bond due 2025, and other lenders of existing debt facilities.

Having been hit hard by the closure of cinemas during the pandemic, Cineworld is also in an ongoing dispute with Cineplex over its failed acquisition of the Canadian cinema company. It could be due to pay GBP720.3 million in damages if its appeal in Canada is not upheld.

Cineworld's share price was down 0.1% to 39.19 pence each in London on Tuesday morning.

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Email Form Facebook Twitter LinkedIn RSS

Securities Mentioned in Article

Security Name Price Change (%) Morningstar
Rating
Cineworld Group PLC

About Author

Alliance News

Alliance News provides Morningstar with continuously updating coverage of news affecting listed companies.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures