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“No regards for public safety” says UPs customer

- UPs Director says it was a mistake
The UPs Cineplex building where the incident occurred. Photo: VINO/File.
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - A resident of the Virgin Islands (VI) contacted this news site with a complaint with regard to public safety in the local Movies Theatre, UPs Cineplex, when herself and visiting family from the United States of America went to watch a movie and were potential victims of a very hazardous atmosphere.

Upon exiting the movie theatre, the entrance was ‘pitch black’ forcing them to fend for themselves, in efforts to get down the stairs.

The female complainant, who wishes to remain anonymous said that an act like this proves that UPs has “no regards for public safety.”

According to the complainant, herself and visiting family from the USA, visited the Cineplex on August 1, 2012 to watch ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ at 9:45 p.m.

She added that upon exiting the cinema, the entrance was pitch black, allowing none of them the ability to see where they were going. “There was no usher around so we had to get ourselves through the dark and downstairs.”

She stated that she was entertaining family from the USA at the same time, and it was very embarrassing for her to treat them to that kind of environment.

“It’s embarrassing, especially when you have people from away coming and visiting the cinema that you bragged so much about, and this is what they came to experience.”

She added that in light of all this, what made things worse was the fact that she tried to inform one of the ushers about the condition of the lighting upstairs and she was rudely ignored by the male usher, who then abruptly walked off.

In conclusion, she stated that as a result of the environment and the experience herself and family went through that night, “The people have no regards for public safety.”

She assured this news site that her complaint is not about bringing down the Cineplex’s name, “but it is important for the public to look into these things to make sure safety is a concern for them.”

She added that nothing happened to her and her family, but if this continues, something can happen to someone in the near future.

Managing Director says it was a mistake

Managing Director of UPs Cinaplex, Mr. Elton Leonard, when informed about the mishap, clarified that a daily routine for the ushers on the night shift, is for them to turn off some of the lights to conserve energy.

He added that that on that specific night, it was probably an accident by the usher.

“Normally when the last movie is being played, the ushers assigned to the night shift turn off the lights to conserve energy, they are not supposed to turn all the lights off, and probably it was a mistake, where that usher turned off all the lights.”

In the presence of Virgin Islands News Online, Mr. Leonard apologized to the customer and offered complimentary tickets to see any movie of her choice, VIP.

He added that he will address the matter, “so that in the future, all the lights will remain lit until persons have completely exited the cinema.”

16 Responses to ““No regards for public safety” says UPs customer”

  • hello (10/08/2012, 07:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with the story here that there is no regard for public safety. The fire escapes are hardly visible, there is no emergency lighting, the roller-rink has no crash barriers, the bowling if you go 4 hours after the advertised opening times is like a sauna as the ac is only put on when people arrive. This place in short is a disastor waiting to happen.
  • LOL (10/08/2012, 08:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    It really must be a slow news day for this to make the site!!
  • yellow (10/08/2012, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    and the parking is horibble on the weekends
  • .... (10/08/2012, 09:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The usher should have turned on the light instead of ignoring the lady especially if he knew they weren't suppose to turn off all the lights.
  • BRAD BOYNES (10/08/2012, 10:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So the Owner appoligize. Wasn't that being professional??. Those eho don't like UP's Cplex simply dont go.
    • One Eye Roster (10/08/2012, 11:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i agree it was great courage by the owner to apologize..I will always support Ups
      • .. (10/08/2012, 13:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Elton Leonard always tries to handle issues professionally, as I have had him deal with many. I admire him for his customer service skills and the value that he places on his patrons. I believe him when he said it was an error,and apologized for it. I am grateful to him for bringing to us a place where we could seek some form of entertainment.. Granted the facilities are not up to 100% where they should be, but Elton is trying his best to get to that 100% place. He is a dreamer, and with his type of vision, he will accomplish much more that the UPS Cineplex.
  • BREAKING NEWS (10/08/2012, 13:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree! Elton you did well by apologizing and offering free movie with VIP. Most owners shy away and wouldn't return calls. Elton, please fix that skating ring before you get in some serious trouble! Get guard rails.
  • talk girl talk (10/08/2012, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    strupps deeds people when dem come from the states where dem treated like slaves always complaining when dem get to we lil b we I
    • A (14/08/2012, 17:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ talk girl talk I sense a bit of jealousy, it's the norm. lol the same states that are flocked to by ppl to give birth to their children on US soil. lol remember when the states stop importing food to tola what u going do. ppl who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
  • hm (10/08/2012, 15:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    sounds like those workers working at Bobbys need to learn to be customer friendly
  • Mr Hurt-in-U.P's (10/08/2012, 16:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And with that, come on, i hurt my leg with the skating rink, no railings. Mr Elton, you are a cool man, but you have to get your act together.
  • hmmmm (10/08/2012, 22:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    all the time she goin to the movies and it was never a problem....now all of a sudden she have guess visiting from the USA its a problem and its embarrassing...at lease elton apologize and offered a free night...but like i said before it was never a problem until she was entering guess
  • ann (10/08/2012, 23:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    if a bird flies people in the BVI complain. Elton you are doing a good job and I take my kids to the movie every other week. God bless you
  • F%$k the haters (11/08/2012, 11:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Haters goin hate on the man place until it geh shut down then they goin complain y it geh shut down
  • chad (13/08/2012, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    She will know, the lil movie theater we have safe cause look at what happen in America with theirs and they want to come here come judge pls say thank God the BVI still is a humble place no matter the lil crimes. Elton in time we shall get there you made that start.


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