Gateway Theatre of Shopping, the Umhlanga retail and entertainment complex which opened on September 29 last year, is looking to attract its 20 millionth visitor by year-end.

The centre where some major tenants have opted to expand in the wake of buoyant sales, is also dealing with the challenge of having a small group of 35 tenants who have not found trading conditions as buoyant, says Ian Watt, managing director of Old Mutual Properties, the developers.

'Efforts are being made by management to achieve a workable solution where all tenants are able to optimise access to the 1,46 million visitors who flow through the centre monthly. This is particularly important for the upcoming prime retail period when the normal foot traffic is expected to increase to 2,2 million monthly.'

Gateway is now South Africa's top cinema destination, having hosted its millionth movie-goer in August, says Watt.

'Adding attendances at Gateway's Imax theatre brings the overall number to have enjoyed a big screen experience at Gateway since centre opening to  more than 1,3 million.'

Gateway's Ster-Kinekor multiplex was the second of the major entertainment components at the centre to attract a million patrons.

The Wave House, the extreme sports venue which has hosted board riders from around the world for standing wave events and at its skate park, is now heading for the two-million visitor mark.

' Events like the World Surfing Games and the Siemens Mobile World Tour have drawn thousands to the Wave House which attracted a record 361 000 people last December. '

Gateway takes the successful formula mixing leisure, shopping and entertainment to a new level with 40% of its entire area devoted to entertainment. Other entertainment attractions include the world's tallest indoor climbing rock, a range of restaurants, a family entertainment centre, a science centre, and a 4 x 4 track.

Meanwhile major tenants are enjoying buoyant sales and have opted to expand, says Watt.

A spokesman for Mr Price says: 'Our site selection was excellent - we believed in Gateway from the start. Our group is doing so well there that we have doubled our space by expanding Mr Price Weekend Material and Mr Price Home and opening a Sheet Street store.'

Pierre van Tonder, managing director, Spur Corporation, says: 'What started for us as a well-structured deal at Gateway Theatre of Shopping has turned into a great partnership. Our Spur presence at Gateway has turned into one of our top performers. The reason for that is that Gateway is a great family entertainment and shopping experience.'

Simon Susman, chief executive officer of Woolworths Holdings, said: 'Our Gateway store won an international award - nice but not as important as the positive response we received from our customers. '

Watt says 91 per cent of the centre has been let.

'We are currently talking to two national chains, one of which will bring some 12 stores to the centre, the other two large stores.'

ISSUED FOR Old Mutual Properties

BY De K&K Communication Consultants

INQUIRIES Ian Watt 021-530-4537

Mike Kerkhoff 021-424-5280