Latest news with #CinePrestige
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
End of an era as Cavendish cinemas close
It was, perhaps, inevitable that this day would come. But the news this week that Ster-Kinekor will close its cinemas in the Claremont shopping centre, Cavendish Square, marks the end of an era. From high school dates to family outings, the cineplex at Cavendish Square has long been part of the fabric of the city's southern suburbs. Once famous for its plush seats, a choice of Cinema Nouveau downstairs and more commercially-minded 'flicks' up top, and the luxurious seating of the Cine Prestige, it seems Ster Kinekor did pretty much everything they could to keep us coming back to the silver screen. And it didn't work. Not even the prospect of 3D screens could pry us off the couch and into the cinema again. In the face of rising costs, Covid, and all-pervasive streaming services, the writing has been on the wall for some time and it was perhaps only a matter of when, not if, the price (ever-increasing) of selling movie tickets and popcorn could cover hefty rents in Cavendish Square. It turns out the 'when' is Monday, 2 June: this will be the last day of trade for Ster-Kinekor at Cavendish Square, and the screens will go dark. The lights will go up, the popcorn swept from the floor, and movie-goers will file out into the light one last time. I'll miss the after-credits chats about whether the movie was any good. I'll miss the lingering taste of sour cream and chives (always, the sour cream and chives) popcorn salt. I won't miss the outrageous cost of said popcorn, or the people who check their phones and take calls (who does that?) in the middle of the movie. 'While this chapter closes, we're firmly focused on the future and are actively investing in our current cinema complexes,' Ster-Kinekor said in a statement released this week. '[This will] ensure that every visit to watch a movie at one of our Ster-Kinekor theatres delivers a truly exceptional movie-going experience, every time.' The question is: do we still want that kind of movie-going experience? Or are we happier on our own couch? Given that the Cavendish closure follows in the wake of cinemas shuttering in Johannesburg and Durban, that remains to be seen. Perhaps we'll be jolted into a wave of nostalgia that has us rushing back to the cinema? Or perhaps we'll just fire up the flat-screen at home and make our own microwave popcorn instead. Sadly, it'll never be as good as that sour cream and chives. Whether you'll miss it or not, come the end of Monday, the days of the silver screen at Cavendish come to an end. As Porky Pig (and later Bugs Bunny) would famously remind us at the end of each Looney Tunes cartoon: 'That's all folks!'
The South African
28-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Ster-Kinekor to close cinemas at iconic Cape Town shopping mall
South Africa's largest cinema operator, Ster-Kinekor, has confirmed it will be closing its long-standing movie theatre at Cavendish Square in Cape Town early next month. The last day of operation will be Monday, 2 June 2025, the company announced in a statement. The closure comes as a result of a non-renewal of the site's lease, marking the latest in a series of shutdowns by the chain in recent months. 'While this chapter closes, we're firmly focused on the future and are actively investing in our current cinema complexes,' Ster-Kinekor said, assuring customers of improved viewing experiences at its remaining sites. The Cavendish Square closure is the third in 2025 alone. In March, Ster-Kinekor shut its cinema at Bedford Square in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, and on 8 May, it closed the Gateway cinema in Umhlanga, one of its largest and most high-profile locations. While initial speculation pointed to rental disputes, Ster-Kinekor maintained that its exit from Gateway was amicable, stating it had parted ways with the mall 'on good terms and with mutual respect.' Meanwhile, competitor Nu-Metro has stepped in to take over operations at both Bedford Square and Gateway. Despite the closures, Ster-Kinekor remains optimistic. CEO Mark Sardi said the company is in advanced talks to open cinemas at four new sites, described as 'commercially attractive,' while also planning major upgrades at existing locations. These include new Kids' Cinemas and premium Cine Prestige lounges. The company pointed to strong 2025 ticket sales as evidence of continued consumer interest in theatrical releases. South African cinemas also face unique local challenges, including a weakened rand which increases the cost of importing international films. Ster-Kinekor entered business rescue in January 2021 but was rescued by Blantyre Capital and Greenpoint Specialised Lending in a R250 million deal in 2022. In April 2024, the company warned it might cut nearly a third of its staff and close up to nine cinemas nationwide. However, it ultimately retrenched just 52 employees and closed only two cinemas: Boardwalk in Richard's Bay and Greenstone Mall in Johannesburg. Following the Cavendish Square shutdown, Ster-Kinekor's national footprint will shrink from 39 to 34 locations, raising new concerns about job losses. The company has not confirmed how many staff have been affected by recent closures but insists it seeks to redeploy employees wherever possible. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Curtain falls on Cavendish Square cinema as Ster-Kinekor closes
Ster-Kinekor has announced the closure of its Cavendish Square cinema in Claremont, Cape Town, marking the end of an era for moviegoers in the southern suburbs. The country's largest cinema chain confirmed that the site will cease operations on June 2, 2025 following the non-renewal of its lease agreement at the upmarket mall. In a statement issued on Monday, the company said: 'While this chapter closes, we're firmly focused on the future and are actively investing in our current cinema complexes to ensure that every visit delivers a truly exceptional movie-going experience.' The Cavendish closure is the latest in a string of quiet withdrawals by the cinema giant. Earlier this year, in March 2025, the closure of Ster-Kinekor's Bedford Square location in Bedfordview, Johannesburg was announced. That was followed by the shutdown of one of its flagship venues — Ster-Kinekor Gateway in Umhlanga on May 8, 2025. Patrons at Gateway were informed of the closure by a sign at the entrance, sparking speculation about potential leasing disputes with the centre's management. Despite the abrupt nature of some of the closures, Ster-Kinekor has maintained that the parting at Gateway was amicable. Meanwhile, rival chain Nu-Metro has swiftly stepped in to fill the gap, taking over operations at both Bedford Square and Gateway. While the closures may raise concerns about the state of the cinema industry, Ster-Kinekor remains optimistic. The company reports strong box office performances for several 2025 releases and continues to position itself for growth. CEO Mark Sardi stated that the company is in the final stages of securing four new sites in strategically chosen locations and has also committed to upgrading several existing cinemas. Among the planned enhancements are new Kids' Cinemas and the expansion of the premium Cine Prestige experience, both of which will be introduced at select locations in the coming months. IOL News
