Fire safety given as the reason for complex’s closure
AN update has been issued regarding why The Gate has been closed since Thursday evening.
Restaurant and cinema customers were among those who were evacuated from the venue on Thursday evening due to ‘safety concerns.’ Notices have remained fixed to the entrance of The Gate since approximately 10pm that evening informing the public that it is closed “until further notice” due to “unforeseen circumstances” and the management are “working to restore business as usual”.
People have been left wondering why the venue was suddenly evacuated and has remained closed. Yesterday the Crown Estate, which has owned The Gate since 2012, issued an update on the reason behind the venue’s closure.
The Crown Estate explained that the reason behind the temporary closure was “to enable the team to carry out further testing of the internal mechanisms that prevent the spread of a fire, to ensure these mechanisms meet the highest standard of fire safety.”
It added that they are “working to investigate this as swiftly as possible” and “remain in close dialogue with those affected and will be supporting everyone as we work to reopen as soon as it is safe and practical to do so.”
The Gate said on Monday night that the complex and car park would remain temporarily closed.
The adjacent Hustle, Lofts and Mayfair venues, which are not physically attached to The Gate, will remain open.
Cineworld also issued an update for its customers on Monday evening, informing them that they had made the decision to cancel further screenings due to there being “no confirmed reopening date”.
The cinema had hoped to resume screenings today. However it has now cancelled all shows for today and tomorrow.
In a post on Facebook, Cineworld Newcastle upon Tyne said: “The Gate remains temporarily closed and the team there are working hard to ensure we can open as swiftly as possible.
“Unfortunately with no confirmed reopening date we have decided to cancel screenings that were planned for Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th May. Any tickets booked for showings on these dates will be automatically refunded.
“We hope to be able to announce a reopening date soon and in the meantime thank you for your patience and understanding and apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure.
“We really look forward to welcoming you back to the cinema soon!”
MECHANISMS ARE IN NEED OF TESTING, MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES