Ster Kinekor Zimbabwe, located in Bulawayo Centre, is currently closed, with notices stating the business is not operational and expressing gratitude for customer loyalty, reports The Chronicle.
The notice around the entrance reads:
We regret to inform you that our business is currently closed. We appreciate your understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your loyalty and support.
At this point, I would imagine most are numb to seeing cinemas close. Last year, Ster Kinekor announced that the Sam Levy branch would be shutting down after 10 years.
Joina City branch being the sole cinema in Harare now.
Rainbow Cinemas shut down its doors in both Harare and Bulawayo years ago. And now, Ster Kinekor Bulawayo might be calling it quits.
The closure reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where traditional cinemas are struggling due to the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, leading to decreased attendance and revenue.
In Zimbabwe, piracy is also a huge factor, with a financially struggling populace choosing $1 bootleg DVDs from the streets.
With data prices still too high for most to stream, let alone the subscription fees required monthly, piracy has to be the biggest factor.
DStv is also feeling the heat. As the economy continues to struggle, more and more people are having to forgo the luxury of this kind of entertainment.
The future of Ster Kinekor Bulawayo remains uncertain. At this point no one knows whether the cinema will reopen.
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