The opening of the new $20 million South Park Cinemas 10 hit another snag yesterday as the magistrate hearing the application for its licences requested additional documents before it can be processed. As a result, the cineplex at the South Park development, San Fernando, will not be opened today as advertised. In the San Fernando Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington said he had serious concerns and wanted to see certain documents from the Fire Services and Town and Country Planning Division. The Caribbean Cinemas cineplex was shut down by the police on August 21, two days after it was officially opened because no cinema licences were granted.
George Borges, Caribbean Cinemas director, made the application for ten cinema and one exhibitor licences about three weeks ago. When the matter came up yesterday, Borges’s attorney Romney Thomas told Wellington: “We are ready.” However, the magistrate said: “You all are not ready.” Wellington told the attorney when he passed by the cineplex yesterday morning he observed that work was still ongoing at the site. Thomas, however, insisted there was absolutely no work going on.
The magistrate said he observed buildings being constructed and equipment, including a crane on the site. “Fire made some recommendations, were they met? Town and Country made recommendations, were they met? asked the magistrate. The attorney said the recommendations were all met. He also handed over certain documents to the court. Wellington also noted that the address on the application was incorrect. Wellington said: “I need to see something from Fire and Town and Country. The magistrate adjourned the matter to October 2.
