After the announced closure of Mini-Europe and Océade at BruPark, the Kinepolis cinema complex could be the next to disappear from the trade fair site dominated by the Atomium on the outskirts of Brussels.
Kinepolis is said to violate a policy agreement with the Brussels authorities by organising too many congresses. The consequence could be that Kinepolis will be replaced by a shopping mall.
While Kinepolis is principally a multi-screen cinema complex, it also organises other events, such as congresses. The city of Brussels has launched a complaint against Kinepolis through the non-profit organisation vzw Tentoonstellingspark, chaired by the Brussels mayor Freddy Thielemans. It is claimed that Kinepolis organises too many congresses, violating an agreement worked out with the Brussels authorities.
The vzw Tentoonstellingspark benefits from a percentage of every cinema ticket sold by Kinepolis Brussels, but receives nothing from other events organised by Kinepolis. It is now demanding that the present agreement with Kinepolis, which runs until 2025, be suspended. Kinepolis has responded by launching a financial claim.
Earlier, it was decided that Mini-Europe and Océade have to go to make room for the Neo development project. This includes a shopping complex, a congress centre and possibly also a new multi-functional stadium. The new congress centre could be bad news for Kinepolis
