SHARES in cinema chains dipped this morning after the worldwide release of the the 25th Bond film, No Time to Die, was pushed back again.

Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007 will now not be released in cinemas around the world until October 8.

MGM's decision to delay the film for a second time came as a further blow to chains and small operators who had been pinning hopes on its release helping to kickstart a revival in cinema-going from April.

Cineworld shares were down 4.7% and Everyman shares were down 7% in early trading.

The news also hit US operators last night, with giant Cinemark closing down 3.48% on the NYSE.

UK Cinema Association chief executive, Phil Clapp, told the Standard that the decision was “disappointing”.

He said: "The delay to this and other films, as well as uncertainty around the timing of any relaxation of current restrictions, underlines the need for ongoing support for the UK cinema sector."

The UKCA is calling on Government for “direct funding for those larger operators who represent 80% of the cinema audience but have so far received no tailored support”, such as Cineworld, Everyman, Odeon, Curzon and Vue.

The plea comes after leading filmmakers including Sir Steve McQueen Danny Boyle this week wrote to ministers calling for financial support for cinema chains, saying "UK cinema stands on the edge of an abyss”.

MGM had originally been set to release the latest Bond in April 2020, before being pushed back to November.

The delay comes after multiple other former cinema big-earners are pushed back - Cinderella, which stars singer Camila Cabello, has been pushed back to July - while others, such as Disney’s Mulan, have been released straight onto streaming services in recent months.

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