Cinematic expansion: New innovations ensure ‘Great Moments at their Greatest’ with every cinema visit
South Africa’s leading cinema chain opened another new site, as it continues to cater for the ever-growing cinema-going audience across the country.
NEWTOWN – On Friday October 31, Ster-Kinekor Theatres opened the doors of its latest state-of-the-art, six-cinema complex in the newly-completed Newtown Junction shopping complex in Newtown, Johannesburg.
The new cinema complex at Newtown Junction, which has 761 seats across the six cinemas, ensures that movie-lovers based in and around the CBD and Newtown areas of Johannesburg experience ‘Great Moments at their Greatest’ on the big screen. The new Ster-Kinekor cinemas boast the very latest in digital projector technology, offering crystal clear images and quality surround sound speaker systems. Included in the mix of cinemas are two 3D-ready screens to show the latest film releases produced in this larger-than-life format.
In addition to the latest digital projection technology, this complex also boasts another innovation for Ster-Kinekor – the introduction of self-service catering terminals. Patrons can order snacks and make a payment, before proceeding to the catering counter to collect their order.
Fiaz Mahomed, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, explains: “Our key focus with the introduction of this exciting new technology is to streamline operations at the site, by placing the power of choice directly in the hands of our customers. The system offers a simple and efficient user experience with a faster transaction time. We are trialling this new technology here at Newtown, in addition to our newly-opened sites at Forest Hill in Centurion and Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp, to monitor its performance before deciding how best to roll this out to our other complexes.
“When we introduced our unique self-service ticket terminals (SSTs) more than eight years ago, we noticed an immediate and significant reduction in queue times for our customers. We are optimistic that the catering terminals will have as great an impact in offering our customers a seamless experience when buying their tickets and snacks, before entering the cinema to sit back and enjoy the latest blockbuster on the big screen,” states Mahomed.
Another exciting new feature at the Newtown site is the versatility of Cinema 1, which is more than a venue to screen the latest films. With the installation of specialist sound and lighting infrastructure and staging equipment, this 252-seater theatre can be transformed into the perfect space to host live stage events such as stand-up comedy and conferences.
“In fact, as part of the recent ABSA Joburg City Festival at the beginning of October, the venue was used successfully to host one of the events: the comedy show featuring Loyiso Gola and Friends,” comments Mahomed.
“For Ster-Kinekor, it is a particular privilege to be part of the regeneration of the Johannesburg CBD, and Newtown in particular. Newtown has become popular as a vibrant work and recreational area with a unique character based on existing cultural facilities. What we are offering here with the new Ster-Kinekor complex at Newtown Junction will, we believe, both benefit and enhance the existing infrastructure and entertainment facilities.
“The magic of the big screen cinema experience cannot be replicated in any other format. We are seeing evidence of this as audiences continue to visit the cinema to watch new releases and appreciate the big blockbuster films in the way they were made to be viewed – on the big screen. With the latest blockbusters releasing each week and six state-of-the-art cinemas in which to watch them, we are confident that audiences who enjoy a ‘great moment’ at one of our cinemas in Newtown will certainly be back for more,” concludes Mahomed.
Regular movie-goers can also enjoy further benefits and discounts through membership of the various loyalty programmes associated with Ster-Kinekor – the SK Club, Discovery Vitality and Edgars Club. For instant access to find out what’s new, which films are releasing when, and to make a booking, mobile phone users can also download the SK App on their Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phones – and have all the information they need at the touch of a button.
The films releasing at Ster-Kinekor Newtown Junction from Friday, 31 October, include two films in 3D suitable for the whole family – Planes: Fire & Rescue and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as the crime thriller Gone Girl starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike, the action-packed The Equalizer, Happy New Year from Bollywood, and the psychological thriller, Eliza Graves.
The opening of Ster-Kinekor Newtown follows on the successful launch of five other new sites within the past year – Secunda Mall in Secunda, Cradlestone Mall near Krugersdorp, The Grove Mall in Pretoria East, Forest Hill City in Centurion and the opening last week of Matlosana Mall in Klerksdorp. A number of other new sites are scheduled to open within the next year.
In addition to the new site openings, Ster-Kinekor has also focused on upgrading the cinema viewing experience at some of its key venues. These include the addition of luxurious Cine Prestige cinemas at four sites – Cradlestone Mall, Gateway, The Grove Mall and Sandton, with the imminent launch of two more at Cavendish in Cape Town, as well as the launch of two impressive IMAX® theatres at Gateway and The Grove Mall. More openings are scheduled within the next few months.
For more information about Ster-Kinekor Newtown Junction, or to book tickets, visit: www.sterkinekor.com or call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437). For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres
Follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @sterkinekor, or download the SK App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates or to book from your mobile phone.
