Moviegoers dissatisfied with Ster Kinekor
With the recent release of popular movies like 'Barbie', 'Oppenheimer', and the latest 'Mission Impossible', some movie enthusiasts are dissatisfied with the service of Ster Kinekor in Windhoek due to long queues and film cancellations.
Ster Kinekor management has said that they are actively considering potential solutions.
A Windhoek resident told Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) that they wanted to watch the popular Barbie movie two weeks ago but missed the beginning due to long queues.
"We were already there at 19:15 for the 20:00 screening, and the line was almost down the stairs. The line didn't move. By 19:55, I asked the manager if the movie would start later because everyone was still waiting outside.
"Her response was that the movie starts when it starts. I told her it was unfair because, according to my friend inside, there are only about 10 people in the theatre. She then said it is not her problem, and we're welcome to leave like the others."
One counter
Other sources told NMH they believe the queues are long because there is only one counter for refreshments and ticket sales. In the past, there were two separate counters.
"I go to the movies quite regularly. The most ridiculous thing is that you now have to buy your tickets and snacks at the same counter, which creates one huge queue and sometimes makes you miss your movie.
"Everyone has to buy their tickets at the popcorn station. There was literally only one person. It was frightening," said another moviegoer.
According to Ster Kinekor's local manager, Jenni Beukes, the reduction to one counter is due to an issue with some of the equipment that "no longer performs adequately" after a system update.
"Rest assured that we are already considering solutions and negotiating with our franchise suppliers," she added.
Cancellations
The screening of the movie Oppenheimer scheduled for Sunday evening at 19:00 at Maerua Mall was unexpectedly cancelled after moviegoers had already waited in the theatre for nearly 30 minutes. The moviegoers' tickets were refunded, and they were sent home.
"We encountered an unforeseen technical issue. Our team responded swiftly, but unfortunately, the problem could not be resolved immediately. As a result, moviegoers were informed about it, and various options were presented to them."
However, according to another resident of Windhoek, this isn't the first time something like this has happened at Maerua Mall's branch.
"Earlier this year, we planned our entire weekend to watch Avatar at Maerua. When we got there, they told us the movie wouldn't be showing anymore because something was wrong with the sound. So, the movie was cancelled without any notice on their social media platforms."
Popcorn experience
The Ster Kinekor branches in Windhoek have also been using brown paper bags to sell popcorn in the past few years, no longer using the cardboard holders they used in the past.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to switch to paper bags for our popcorn, without the branding, to minimise costs," says Beukes.
Other moviegoers have commented on the limited staff and believe that the staff "doesn't seem enthusiastic."
"The whole experience is just different, as if they're not really enthusiastic anymore."
– [email protected]
Ster Kinekor management has said that they are actively considering potential solutions.
A Windhoek resident told Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) that they wanted to watch the popular Barbie movie two weeks ago but missed the beginning due to long queues.
"We were already there at 19:15 for the 20:00 screening, and the line was almost down the stairs. The line didn't move. By 19:55, I asked the manager if the movie would start later because everyone was still waiting outside.
"Her response was that the movie starts when it starts. I told her it was unfair because, according to my friend inside, there are only about 10 people in the theatre. She then said it is not her problem, and we're welcome to leave like the others."
One counter
Other sources told NMH they believe the queues are long because there is only one counter for refreshments and ticket sales. In the past, there were two separate counters.
"I go to the movies quite regularly. The most ridiculous thing is that you now have to buy your tickets and snacks at the same counter, which creates one huge queue and sometimes makes you miss your movie.
"Everyone has to buy their tickets at the popcorn station. There was literally only one person. It was frightening," said another moviegoer.
According to Ster Kinekor's local manager, Jenni Beukes, the reduction to one counter is due to an issue with some of the equipment that "no longer performs adequately" after a system update.
"Rest assured that we are already considering solutions and negotiating with our franchise suppliers," she added.
Cancellations
The screening of the movie Oppenheimer scheduled for Sunday evening at 19:00 at Maerua Mall was unexpectedly cancelled after moviegoers had already waited in the theatre for nearly 30 minutes. The moviegoers' tickets were refunded, and they were sent home.
"We encountered an unforeseen technical issue. Our team responded swiftly, but unfortunately, the problem could not be resolved immediately. As a result, moviegoers were informed about it, and various options were presented to them."
However, according to another resident of Windhoek, this isn't the first time something like this has happened at Maerua Mall's branch.
"Earlier this year, we planned our entire weekend to watch Avatar at Maerua. When we got there, they told us the movie wouldn't be showing anymore because something was wrong with the sound. So, the movie was cancelled without any notice on their social media platforms."
Popcorn experience
The Ster Kinekor branches in Windhoek have also been using brown paper bags to sell popcorn in the past few years, no longer using the cardboard holders they used in the past.
"During the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to switch to paper bags for our popcorn, without the branding, to minimise costs," says Beukes.
Other moviegoers have commented on the limited staff and believe that the staff "doesn't seem enthusiastic."
"The whole experience is just different, as if they're not really enthusiastic anymore."
– [email protected]
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