Everyman Cinema’s Fantastic show beats forecasts

Britons flocked to see JK Rowling’s Fantastic Beasts at the cinema this winter, and the hordes opting Where To Find Them at the Everyman helped the arthouses chain enjoy an expectation-beating year.

Star Wars’ Rogue One was another bums-on-seats draw for the 20-strong chain, which has doubled its estate in two years.

It said the better-than-expected performance of some of its four newly opened venues and “continued improvements” in existing locations led to greater numbers at its box offices.

Everyman, which offers movie-goers £10 antipasti sharing platters and fresh mint teas, added that its 32-seater “pop-up” at King’s Cross, where tickets are £17, was flourishing: it will open a new three-screen cinema in the area this year.

It’s also signed for a five-screen cinema as part of the new St James Development in Edinburgh.

“The directors expect this momentum to continue into 2017 as more and more people enjoy watching films in an Everyman environment,” the firm added.

The shares gained 1% to 100p.