UCI Cinemas
United Cinemas International or UCI is owned by Terra Firma Capital Partners. [1]
UCI was formed as a partnership of Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios initially to build cinemas in the UK. Under chairman Tom McGrath the group expanded to build and operate cinemas in the UK, Ireland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, China, Taiwan and Brazil.
In late 2004 the European division of UCI was bought by Terra Firma Capital Partners, along with rival chain, Odeon Cinemas. All UCI and thefilmworks Cinemas are currently in the process of being re-branded to use the Odeon name. The process is expected to be complete by the end of 2005.
In the UK and Ireland, UCI operate 35 cinemas and employs over 2,700 people, however, as part of its merger with Odeon Cinemas, the competition authority will require several sites to be closed or sold off.