Cineworld shares jump on reports of takeover offer from Vue

Debt-laden chain was forced into bankruptcy protection in the US after struggling to recover from pandemic closures

Shares in embattled cinema operator Cineworld jumped on reports of a takeover offer from rival company Vue International.

The debt-laden chain, which was forced to file for bankruptcy protection in the US last autumn, was up nearly 20% on Monday on reports that Vue International, Europe’s largest privately owned cinema operator, has obtained financial backing from its new shareholders as it eyes up a takeover bid for Cineworld.