CINEMA bosses could be set to shut sites until next year after delays to blockbuster releases, according to national newspaper reports.

The Sunday Times is reporting Cineworld, which has sites in Basildon and Braintree amongst more than 120 venues in the UK and Ireland, will shut their doors in the coming days.

Bosses are reportedly planning to write to the Government saying their position is unviable.

It is believe some 5,500 jobs could be at risk nationwide.

The delay to the latest James Bond blockbuster No Time To Die is said to be the last straw for the cinema chain.

It was supposed to be released in the next few weeks but has now been put back to April.

Disney's live action remake of Mulan was also pulled from cinema release and moved to their subscription service Disney Plus.