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Hong Kong’s UA Cinemas has closed after 36 years of operation

By Jen Paolini 8 March 2021

Header image courtesy of timessquare.com.hk

In a sudden turn of events, UA Cinemas has announced that it will cease operations with immediate effect starting from today, 8 March 2021.

According to a brief statement on their official website, the Hong Kong theatre chain—which was first opened in 1985 by American businessman Ira Kaye—cites that it had faced “unavoidable and devastating pressure [...] since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic,” which resulted in its abrupt closure after the weekend.

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Photo credit: Times Square Hong Kong

In its 36 years of operation, UA Cinemas has screened thousands of films, including both international blockbusters and regional indie productions. Before its sudden closing, UA Cinemas still operated six remaining theatres in major shopping centres across Hong Kong, including Times Square in Causeway Bay, Maritime Square in Tsing Yi, and Moko in Mong Kok, while its branch at K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui had suspended operations since last month.

While UA Cinemas has stated that it had commenced winding-up proceedings with the Hong Kong court, there have been no updates so far on ticket refunds from the company. Netizens also report that the UA Cinemas ticketing app is no longer working and that UA Cinemas has disabled its Facebook page and other social media and online presences.

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Jen Paolini

Content director

Born in Hong Kong, raised in Germany, and educated in the U.S., Jen is an award-winning creative with a background in illustration, communication design, art direction, and content creation. When she’s not getting lost in a good book, you’ll find her doing crosswords, eating dim sum, covering all sides of a “Hamilton” number, and taking naps.

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