Broadway cinema to lower the curtain

Broadway cinema at The ONE in Tsim Sha Tsui will close on February 26 due to its lease expiring, Broadway Circuit has announced.

The cinema - with 822 seats across six auditoriums - is likely to be taken over by another chain cinema operator, MCL, and will reopen in the third quarter this year.

"Thank you for the years of support for The ONE Broadway," its owners said. "We look forward to meeting you at other Broadway cinemas."

As a farewell gift, customers who purchase two film tickets at the cinema will be offered coupons for buy-one-get-one-free movie tickets and concessions at half price.

The ONE's service counter for "bcinephile" members will also be suspended.

VIPs can head to counters at the cinema chain's Tsuen Wan branch and Broadway Cinematheque in Yau Ma Tei for membership registration and renewal, alongside DVD rental services.

According to a 2021 report by MCL's mother company Esun Holdings, the corporation said it would take over a cinema at The ONE from April 2023 for a HK$122.5 million leasing term for 10 years. The rent is around HK$1 million monthly.

Cinemas faced operational difficulties during Covid, with restrictions that led to months of closure, halted concession services and limited seating capacities.

Last March, Broadway announced the closure of its 1,614-seat cinema at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill after 10 years of operation. It was taken over by MCL.

Excluding the cinema in the ONE, Broadway still operates 11 theaters across the SAR.

In March 2021, UA Cinemas announced a total closure amid operational difficulties during Covid, ending the 36-year-old business.