Wellington authorities could meet as early as tomorrow with Reading Cinemas over the earthquake risk to its central city building.
Reading Cinemas announced its Courtenay Place, Wellington complex would be closing due to earthquake risk. Photo: Tony Hisgett [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The cinema operator sprang a surprise on Saturday when it said it was closing the Courtenay Place complex immediately after a draft report from engineers.
A sign at Reading Cinemas Courtenay Place informing of the closure. Photo: RNZ / Jonathan Mitchell
That reported highlighted risk to parts of the interior of the building in a quake.
RNZ understands the city council could meet with Reading as early as tomorrow.
It is unclear what is in the draft report because the cinema company has not released it or responded to RNZ's requests for an interview.
Tenants inside the complex are also still waiting for more information.
The city council has assured the public it is still safe to walk on the footpath outside the building.
The complex was shut and its carpark demolished after the Kaikōura earthquake in November 2016.
After a revamp, it reopened with a new Courtenay Central logo - and tenants include McDonalds, Unichem and ANZ bank.
