By ANNE GIBSON
The trend for retail mall owners to team up with cinema operators is gathering momentum, all with the aim of holding on to shoppers for longer.
Auckland cinema operator Barry Everard's Berkeley Group has joined United States entertainment group Reading Cinemas to manage an eight-screen theatre complex to be built at Botany Town Centre. Everard is chairman of the NZ Film Commission.
The $15.3 million cinema and restaurant complex is planned to be ready for the Christmas blockbuster season next year.
Murray Jordan, general manager of AMP Property Portfolio, which owns half the shopping centre, said a 20-year lease had been signed with the operators.
Australia's Stockland Trust is buying the other half of Botany in a deal announced last month, along with the sale of Manukau Supa Centa and LynnMall Shopping Centre.
Everard and Reading Cinemas will run the 1800-seat multiplex at Botany via a joint venture, Berkeley Cinemas Group. Reading already operates a 10-screen, luxury complex in Wellington's Courtenay Place. Its luxury Regency Cinelounge seating will also be installed in an exclusive area at the back of the three largest Botany cinemas.
Movie-goers using the spacious armchair seating will have access to a bar, a lounge and a menu of appetisers.
The AMP deal comes after Westfield signed up with rival cinema operator Village Sky City Cinemas (formerly Village Force Cinemas) and its CEO Joe Moodabe, to open a new multiplex cinema complex at St Lukes shopping mall in Auckland last month.
The trend for large regional shopping centres to have cinema complexes is gaining momentum, as property investors and managers seek ways to keep shoppers at their centres longer by providing entertainment such as bowling alleys, children's pantomime shows and fashion parades.
St Lukes centre manager Robyn Kiddle has said malls and cinemas go together well.
"Putting in cinemas creates a habit. People see what's here and come to the shops. Those who come into the shops see the cinemas, so they get a habit both for shopping and entertainment."
Brian Eldridge, general manager of the Berkeley Cinemas Group, said a deal for an eight-screen Reading Cinema complex with 1700 seats to open in late August, had been signed with The Palms shopping centre in Christchurch.
The Palms is owned by Sabina, owned by Christchurch businessman Tim Glasson and Max and Glen Percasky.
"We're also pursuing other opportunities with other parties," Eldridge said.
Berkeley Cinemas already has theatres at Mission Bay, Takapuna and Whangaparaoa. The new theatres in Auckland and Christchurch will almost double the size of the operation.
Botany has won awards for its use of traditional streetscapes. But it also has some large-format stores and strip shopping.
Jordan said the centre's library was due to open early next year and the new cinema complex would complete the Sunset Terrace precinct.
Cinema trend keeps growing
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