Hong Kong film-goers snapped up discounted tickets for the final day of operation of Golden Harvest’s MegaBox cinema on Sunday, with some disheartened fans finding comfort in the news that another theatre chain will take over the space soon.

In the afternoon, the seven-screen cinema was bustling with long-time regulars and others who were simply nearby residents, eager to snap up HK$40 (US$5) tickets for most screenings.

The operator announced last week it was closing, becoming the latest in a string of cinemas to close in the city and the fifth so far this year.

It added CineArt would open a new cinema in the shopping centre next month with upgraded design and facilities.

Among Sunday’s film-goers was Alan Man, who said he saw almost 30 films at MegaBox this year and 70 last year, sometimes packing three or four into a single day.

“I particularly like this cinema because it is cheap, not crowded and has comfortable seats. I can spend the whole day in this cinema,” said the supermarket salesman in his twenties. “I am super sad because I will lose a ‘me-place’ to relax.”