Ster-Kinekor in Eikestad Mall confirmed that the cinema was permanently shut down late last night, with upset customers being turned away.
Laurent Louw, departmental manager at the Eikestad cinema, stated economic reasons for the closure. It remains unknown which store will be replacing the cinema.
Louw said there is speculation that the cinema will be replaced by either a Dis-Chem Pharmacy or a Sportsmans Warehouse.
“There are a lot of tenants that are surprised that the cinema is closing down,” said Louw.
He explained that due to the number of schools and gyms in the area, it might be a better financial decision to open a Sportsmans Warehouse in the space.
“Customers who have already purchased tickets from the Eikestad branch, can get a cancellation and refund within the next 48 hours by phoning the ticket line,” said Warrick Cassels, an employee at the N1 City Ster-Kinekor branch.
The Eikestad cinema’s website does not mention the closure. Neither the mall’s website nor the official Ster Kinekor website gives customers the option to buy tickets.
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- The Ster-Kinekor website. SOURCE: sterkinekor.co.za
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- Ster-Kinekor Stellenbosch shut down on Wednesday night. PHOTO: Kelly-Jane Turner
MatieMedia is still awaiting comment from the mall’s management team.
Cassels said the cinema group decided that all employees from the Stellenbosch branch will be relocated to other branches in the broader Western Cape area.
Carol Olsen, manager of the Arizona Spur in Eikestad Mall, said the removal of the cinema will affect their business as movie-goers would usually arrived earlier to eat something at their restaurant.
One of the Spur’s employees, Shane Nolan, said they had known about the closure for four days.
The closest Ster-Kinekor Cinema is in Somerset Mall in Somerset West.
This is how students responded to the news.
This is a developing story.