Village Force New Multiplexes To Shoppingtowns

Monday, December 17, 2001

Village Force Brings New Multiplexes To Westfield Shoppingtowns

Village Force Cinemas and Westfield New Zealand announced today a proposal to develop four new multiplex cinemas at key Westfield shopping centres in Auckland.

Building will start in January 2002 on a new state of the art eight-screen complex at Westfield Shoppingtown St Lukes.

This is planned to be followed by cinemas at Manukau, Pakuranga and Westfield’s proposed Nuffield Street development in Newmarket.

Village Force Cinemas Chief Executive, Joe Moodabe, says the new complexes will give patrons a whole new and world class experience and will be a great boost for the industry.

“Westfield’s dedication to, and significant investment in developing their shopping centres into integrated retail, entertainment and leisure precincts matches perfectly with our desire to upgrade our complexes with latest facilities which will meet the expectations of our patrons in the new millennium.”

“The exhibition industry has evolved considerably over recent years, and this proposal will enable us to introduce leading edge innovations, such as mega-screens, larger auditoriums, stadium seating with premium “gold class’ facilities, state of the art projection and sound – as well as childcare and play facilities.”

It is planned for the new complexes to be totally integrated into “The Street” - a new concept from Westfield of branded fashion, entertainment and diverse food offers.

Westfield New Zealand Director, John Widdup, said the new cinemas were an important part of Westfield’s ongoing strategy to integrate high quality retail and entertainment facilities for New Zealand shoppers.

Joe Moodabe said the all-new complex at St Lukes was important, as it was one of the last remaining inner city suburbs not well served with entertainment options.

“We believe the location, along with the facilities we can offer jointly with Westfield, such as easy access and car-parking, will make it very popular.

“The proposal to build 10 screens at Manukau – an increase of 25 percent in screens and seating capacity – reflected the significant population growth in that area, and South Auckland’s strong movie going tradition. The existing complex, now a decade old, was Village Force’s first location in Auckland.“

Joe Moodabe said the company now has 59 screens in seven locations in Auckland and Hamilton, with a further 17 screens in five locations with the Rialto group, and it is New Zealand’s largest cinema exhibitor with a market share in excess of 40 percent.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Joe Moodabe
Chief Executive
Village Force Cinemas
82 Symonds Street
PO Box 2384
Auckland
New Zealand
Email: joe_moodabe@village.co.nz
Tel: 09 309 9137
Mob: 021 625 990

Sue Warren
National Manager Communications
Westfield (New Zealand) Limited
PO Box 109-280
Newmarket
Auckland
New Zealand
Email: sue.warren@westfield.co.nz
Tel: 09 978 5050
Mob: 021 421 301

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