Vue to build first cinemas in Saudi Arabia since 1980s ban

Majed Alhokair of Al Hokair Group and Tim Richards, the boss of Vue International, are partnering to build a number of cinemas in Saudi Arabia

Joanna Hodgson12 February 2018

Vue is planning to roll out the red carpet in Saudi Arabia, becoming the first firm to capitalise on a 35-year-old ban on cinemas being lifted in the conservative Islamic kingdom.

Vue’s boss Tim Richards said discussions, which started last year at an investment conference in Riyadh, have today resulted in a joint-venture partnership with property developer Abdulmohsin Al-Hokair Holding Group.

They will invest in opening around 30 cinemas over the next three years, with the first before the end of 2018.

Richards told the Standard there is “pent-up demand for cinemas in the kingdom”. He added: “It has been a very long time since we have had a complete open market [to debut in]… The scale of opportunity is absolutely massive.”

Richards said Vue would look to have film premieres there. Regarding whether certain films will be restricted, he said his company is “respectful of current social and political conditions”.

The deal follows recent reforms led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that have eased restrictions and allowed Saudi Arabians to watch films at the cinema for the first time since the 1980s.

Last month Saudi women were allowed into football matches for the first time while a ban on women driving in the kingdom will be lifted in June.