International cinema franchise coming to Maldives!

Strada Private Limited – which runs the restaurant Newport – is working on introducing an international cinema franchise to Maldives.

Strada has leased the empty lot to the east of the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge worksite and runs a bridge viewing platform and children’s playground on it. The company has more planned to utilize the space, one of them being introducing an international cinema franchise to the country.

Managing Director of Strada, Zahid Rameez reported to “Sun” that they were negotiating with a renowned international cinema franchise to open a cinema in Maldives with the latest movie premiers and red carpet celebrity events.

The name of the franchise is under wraps at the moment.

The lot to the east of the bridge worksite was leased to Strada for a period of three years in 2016. The company reports the government has now extended the lease to five more years – until 2023.

In addition to the bridge viewing platform and the children’s playground, Strada will be opening a Chatime stand this week, a Newport outlet – Newport View – in July, and a parking area and a futsal turf.

Zahid said the cinema complex will also have a gaming station.

“There’ll also be an indoor gaming station. And once the cinema is open, we will hold x-box gaming events on the big screen,” said Zahid.

He said Strada planned on opening a bigger cinema complex in Hulhumale’ with at least three screens, a bowling alley and gaming stations; and an additional cinema complex in Addu City.

Male’ City currently has just Olympus and Schwach Cinema.