Leisure hub still closed days on from evacuation
GATE CLOSED ON THURSDAY NIGHT DUE TO ‘SAFETY CONCERN’
ENTERTAINMENT hub The Gate is still yet to re-open after health and safety concerns saw the complex evacuated and closed on Thursday.
A cinema chain that operates inside the building has told customers that it does not expect to re-open until tomorrow at the earliest, with other businesses still waiting for news.
Diners and cinema-goers were told to leave the complex on Thursday evening and the leisure hub has not reopened since.
Signs remain attached to the entrance of the building informing the public that The Gate is closed “until further notice” due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
The sign also said they were “working to restore business as usual” as people arrived at the building this morning to realise it was still shut.
Bars The Hustle, The Mayfair and The Lofts, remain open for business as they are located outside of the main complex but the car park, part of the main building, is still shut.
No updates have been issued on The Gate’s website and social media channels as of 2pm yesterday.
However, Cineworld, which occupies the top floors of the building, has cancelled all screenings until tomorrow and has advised customers to monitor its social media pages for updates.
And in a response to a customer on Twitter on Sunday who was enquiring about whether The Gate will be open on Wednesday, Cineworld replied: “Following the precautionary closure of The Gate, investigations will continue over the next few days and unfortunately, we’ll be unable to re-open until they have been completed.
“At present, we anticipate they will continue until Wednesday next week at the earliest. Please keep an eye on our website and social media channels for updates as soon as more information becomes available.”
The Chronicle contacted The Gate for an update on the situation yesterday and is awaiting a response.
A number of businesses that occupy the building were also contacted about the situation, including Nando’s and Wetherspoon, which said they were expecting an update yesterday.
A spokesperson for Pizza Hut said: “Due to potential health and safety concerns at The Gate complex, we’re temporarily closing our restaurant while investigations take place.
“The health and safety of our employees and customers is our utmost priority. We apologise for any inconvenience and plan to re-open once we’re told it is safe to do so.”