Bahrain: An iconic cinema in the heart of Manama is currently being bulldozed and will be replaced by a new shopping complex, it has emerged.
Owner of Awal Cinema Complex, the Bahrain Cinema Company (Cineco), started the demolition on Sunday.
Plans for the site, in Gudaibiya, are due to be announced next week, Cineco chief operating officer Sunil Balan told the GDN. “There is no clear indication as of now, but talks are going on – details of which will be announced next week,” he said. “The building is being demolished and a new shopping complex will replace it within the next 18 months.
“Cineco’s office, which was functioning in the Awal Cinema complex for 40 years, has now shifted to Fakhro Towers and we are looking into different perspectives, which are based on development requirements.”
The Awal Cinema Complex, which also housed a restaurant, a money exchange company and other shops, had been in existence since 1971.
However, Awal Cinema was first opened in 1967 by the Bahrain Cinema and Film Distribution Company (BC&FDC), established by the late Amir, HH Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
It became a popular venue among Bollywood fans to watch the latest blockbusters from India and Mr Balan said he was aware some people would be saddened by the decision to knock it down. “We know people who are used to watching Hindi movies in Awal Cinema will be upset, but they do have options in cinemas in major malls in Bahrain, which have some good deals,” said Mr Balan.
Reports first emerged last year that the property would be demolished.
However, Mr Balan stressed the building was safe and the decision to knock it down was not due to structural concerns. “The main reason is the restructuring and development of the complex,” he said.
He also dismissed reports that a Qatar-based investment group was buying the complex.
“The property belongs to Cineco still and there is no outside party on the scene until now,” he said.
Cineco’s latest financial data shows the company recorded a net profit of BD7.5m in 2014, a 20 per cent increase from the previous year.
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