Quake risk shuts cinema centre

A popular movie theatre and food court in Wellington has been suddenly closed because of earthquake risks.

Businesses were given just hours to clear out of Courtenay Central, which houses several businesses within the cinema complex, by noon yesterday after a draft report from independent engineers said there were potential risks in an earthquake to parts of the building, a statement from the building’s management said.

‘‘The safety and wellbeing of our patrons, employees and tenants is of the utmost importance to us and as such out of an abundance of caution we have taken action to close the building until further notice.’’

Businesses inside the complex include ANZ, McDonald’s, NZ Post, Reading Cinemas, Shake Shed & Co, STA Travel and Unichem Pharmacy. The complex was closed for several months after it was damaged in the 2016 Kaiko¯ura earthquake, and an adjacent car park deemed quake prone was demolished. It reopened in March 2017.

Wellington City Council business engagement manager Phil Becker said the council had been advised on Friday night about the draft report and risks not previously detected.

Owner of Craft Central Libby Dearnley said as soon as the owners found out there were issues with the building, they called the business.

‘‘We’re just taking stuff out as fast possible to make sure it’s safe and secure,’’ Dearnley said.

Management told the business ‘‘very early this morning’’, and told tenants they wanted them out by noon at the latest, she said.

Dearnley said now the business needed to look at whether they’d open a shop elsewhere, or wait to hear ‘‘how quick the fix is’’.