STER-KINEKOR Theatres has announced that its cinema complex in Musgrave Centre, Durban, will be closed with effect from January 12, 2023.

Musgrave Centre has released a statement explaining why the closure is necessary and what the space will be used for.

According to Musgrave Centre Management: “The Ster-kinekor Group were adversely effected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in partial and sometimes full closure during the various lockdown levels. Online streaming services have caused a major shift in home entertainment, and shopper behaviour, this coupled with increased cost of living means that less people are visiting cinemas. Market data and trading densities have revealed that Cinemas in the small format Centres are trading well below standard market levels and are not sustainable. Since the onset of COVID, SA Corporates’ strategy in their retail portfolio has focused on introducing convenience retail at their shopping Centres and has proved successful to date.”

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However according to Musgrave Centre Management the centre will soon open a Checkers in place of the movie theatre, “we are excited to announce that Musgrave Centre will soon welcome renowned grocer – Checkers. The existing Ster-Kinekor premises, situated on Level 4, will be reconfigured to accommodate Checkers. The multi-million-rand project will take approximately ten to twelve months to complete, commencing in quarter 1 of 2023. The new store offering will strengthen the Centre’s tenant mix and make it the ideal location for convenience offering.”

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The centre has acknowledged the public’s dismay about the cinema’s closure after years of the movie theatre being a staple gateway for entertainment for Durban residents. “Many of our customer’s do have great memories from the cinema and it will certainly be missed, however the decision is based on an adapting business plan that has received positive feedback with the recent inclusion of Food Lover’s Market, and newly revamped Pick n Pay. We are committed to improving the experience at the centre with the addition of China Hyper on the 4th level, brand new escalators being installed over the next 2 years, upgrading of the parking equipment and the soon to be inclusion of a Padel Tennis court on the roof top, level 6.”