Investor sets sights on establishing Movie Towne cineplex in SVG

Derek Chin, chair of the Movie Towne cineplexes, has his sights set on establishing a Movie Towne cineplex in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

The project, which will be his sixth such venture, is scheduled to begin by the end of the year at Arnos Vale, at the site of the ET Joshua Airport, once the Argyle International Airport becomes operational.{{more}}

Chin, a Guyanese by birth, but who resides in Trinidad and Tobago, has already established Movie Towne cineplexes in Port of Spain, Tobago and Chaguanas, with a fourth set to open in San Fernando soon. Construction is soon to begin on a fifth in Guyana.

Chin, who said his company currently has about one billion TT in assets, made his plans public on Tuesday at a press conference at the Cabinet room.

The businessman said that after a bad experience at a movie theatre, he came up with the idea of creating an environment of a higher quality and standard. He described his business as more than going to the movies, but an experience that promotes happiness.

“The business is about happiness…it’s about being happy, trying to build back that family life,” Chin said.

He explained that at Movie Towne, patrons can experience more than movies, as the complexes also include places for fine dining, shopping and casinos.

Chin noted that each Movie Towne site has a different theme, which he changes frequently.

He said the one located in Port of Spain currently has a Hollywood theme, while the one in San Fernando is all about going to New York.

“So, when you walk in there you would feel like you are walking into Times Square. We have right down to yellow taxis,” he said.

The cineplexes also include a Ruby Tuesday and a Rizzoni, among other franchise restaurants.

Chin noted that the new complex in Guyana will cost an estimated US$50 million, while the San Fernando complex costs an estimated US$15 million.

He said during a trip to Trinidad, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves proposed the plan to him.

“I said maybe it might not be too bad to try here. Maybe it could work; it’s a small population like Tobago. We made Tobago work, took a little while longer…,” Chin noted.

The entrepreneur stated that he wants to build something that would be of great attraction to the Vincentian public.

“I want to do something so that you, the people of this country could be proud of, that they could benefit from it.”

During the press conference Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves noted that while the Government has only signed a memorandum of understanding with Chin, he is hoping that they could solidify their deal.

“When we move from ET Joshua, we have 60 odd acres of land, as I outlined to you; we have to do some things there,” Gonsalves noted.

He said apart from movie cinemas, Movie Towne would also provide restaurants, shopping centres, a convention area and a boutique hotel.

“All of these things in addition. The space will be there for offices, for people and other shops for other people and housing for bright young people who have come back from university and want to be in town houses…,” the Prime Minister added.

“We have to make use of these things and build them.”

Gonsalves noted that these projects all come together to create jobs, increase the country’s wealth and create a more modernized St Vincent and Grenadines.(CM)