Ster-Kinekor has formally shut down its cinema advanced on the Gateway Theatre of Buying in Durban, with its closing day of operation on 8 Could 2025.

This marks the second quiet closure this yr, following the sooner closure of its Bedford Sq. advanced in Bedfordview, which was later taken over by rival chain Nu Metro.

Whereas Nu Metro can be rumoured to be taking up the Gateway location, each corporations have declined to verify the transition.

Ster-Kinekor, nevertheless, said the closure was not initiated by the corporate, suggesting potential disputes with mall administration.

“We half methods with Gateway on good phrases and with mutual respect,” a spokesperson informed MyBroadband.

Monetary pressure

The closure is a part of a broader restructuring effort introduced in 2024, pushed by monetary pressure from South Africa’s robust financial local weather, load-shedding, and disruptions in Hollywood that delayed key movie releases.

On the time, the corporate warned that as much as 9 cinemas might be shut and 236 workers members retrenched.

Following the restructure, solely two cinemas had been formally closed – Boardwalk in Richards Bay and Greenstone Mall – and 52 workers members, primarily at head workplace, had been retrenched.

Nonetheless, the quiet Gateway and Bedfordview closures recommend additional downsizing exercise behind the scenes.

Regardless of these challenges, Ster-Kinekor insists it stays targeted on progress.

The corporate mentioned it’s in superior discussions to launch three new cinema websites, claiming they might surpass the historic foot site visitors seen at Gateway.

Ster-Kinekor CEO Mark Sardi beforehand famous that the corporate continues to discover alternate fashions with landlords, together with leisure and academic makes use of for cinema areas, in an effort to adapt to shifting market situations.

When final did you watch a film at Ster-Kinekor?

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