Cinema attendances on the up

Popularity of cinema shown in figures and development plans

Cinemas. Interior of one of the five screens in the Ocimax complex

Newly opened multiplex in Maó draws the crowds and another is to be built over three years in Ciutadella, old established cinema re-opens in Maó

J.S.N..Maó

Cinema attendances recently have shown just how popular cinemagoing is as a leisure pursuit on the island.

The Ocimax multiscreen complex in Maó has experienced a surge in attendances during August and early September. In fact from 10th August, the date "Pirates of the Caribbean - Deadman´s Chest" opened throughout Spain, more than 14,000 tickets have been sold for this particular film.

Another reason for this increase in popularity is the fact that Ciutadella has now been without a cinema for the past three months and people are travelling across the island to the Ocimax. However this will no longer be necessary once Ciutadella´s own multiscreen complex is completed. Work, which is in the preparatory phase of clearing the site, is expected to take three years. The multiscreen cinema will be sited at Sa Platja Gran in Ciutadella. It will have four separate cinemas catering for 200 people in the largest, 120 in each of the next two and 70 in the smallest. This total of 510 seats compares to the 695 seats offered by the Ocimax in Maó.

As well as the cinema facilities, the new complex will also offer a fitness centre, a bowling alley, several bars and restaurants and a range of shops. It is estimated that the total cost will be some nine million euros.

Meanwhile, in Maó, the popularity of filmgoing is shown further by the recent re-opening of the well-established Alcázar Cinema.