by Thinus Ferreira
Ster-Kinekor is down a further three cinema complexes in 2025 and has shuttered its operations in the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban, its cinema complex in Bedford Square in Johannesburg, and is also shutting down its Cavendish Square operations in Cape Town on 2 June.
Last year, Ster-Kinekor, owned by the British-based Blantyre Capital and Greenpoint Capital after exiting business rescue in November 2022, started a retrenchment process but ended up closing far fewer cinema complexes than what it initially said it would.
After Ster-Kinekor initially announced that it would be shutting down 9 cinemas across South Africa, Ster-Kinekor CEO Mark Sardi said that Ster-Kinekor ended up closing only two in 2024 - the Boardwalk in Richards Bay and the Ster-Kinekor complex in the Greenstone Mall in Edenvale.
It's unclear why Ster-Kinekor suddenly decided to close its cinemas in the Gateway Mall in Umhlanga, Bedford Square in Bedfordview, and within a week also in Cavendish Square in Claremont in Cape Town.
In a statement, Ster-Kinekor says "we will be concluding operations at the Cavendish Square cinema complex in Cape Town, with the final day of trading set for 12 June".
"This change comes as a result of the lease not being renewed. 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 to watch a movie at one of our Ster-Kinekor theatres delivers a truly exceptional movie-going experience, every time."
"We're excited to confirm that we are in the advanced stages of preparing to open cinemas at four commercially attractive sites across the country, and have plans in place for multiple upgrades to some of our current sites."
"We will also be launching new Kids' Cinemas and our luxurious Cine Prestige offerings at key sites within the next few months."
Ster-Kinekor shuttered both its Gateway and Bedford Square cinemas at the beginning of May 2025.
Ster-Kinekor rival Nu Metro will take over operations of the Gateway cinema complex.
Ster-Kinekor was asked for comment on these two closures and it will be added here when received.
