Hastings city may lose last movie theatre

Hawke's Bay Today understands Reading Cinemas in Hastings may shut down for good on Sunday.

The complex has four cinemas in Hastings, and any closure means moviegoers in Hastings will have to go to either Havelock North or Napier.

Ironically the final movie that may be shown is at 6:45pm on Sunday and is called "The Darkest Hour".

Reading Cinema used to be called the State Theatre and was constructed in 1933 following the Hawke's Bay earthquake.

The building was put up for sale in 2007 and has yet to find a buyer.   It is owned by a small syndicate of Hawke's Bay investors including former All Black captain Taine Randell.

Hastings was in the past served by two movie threatre complexes, of which Reading is the last. 

We'll have the latest in tomorrow's Hawke's Bay Today.