Top things to know
- Palace Multiplex Montego Bay has permanently closed.
- The closure is due to extensive mould damage from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
- The cinema had operated in Montego Bay since December 2001.
- Palace Amusement Company Limited announced the decision after concluding the building was unsalvageable.
Montego Bay, Jamaica – The silver screen has gone dark permanently in Montego Bay with the announcement that Palace Multiplex will not reopen. Palace Amusement Company Limited confirmed the closure of its cinema, a fixture in the western Jamaican city since December 2001. The decision follows extensive and irreparable damage sustained during Category 5 Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
The company conveyed the news with a "sad and heavy heart" in a statement shared on its Instagram account, acknowledging the profound impact of Hurricane Melissa on the facility. The cinema, like many other businesses in Montego Bay, was severely affected by the powerful storm. Initial hopes for recovery quickly gave way to the harsh reality that the damage was too extensive to overcome.
Palace Amusement detailed that the Multiplex suffered significant mould damage, rendering the building unsalvageable. After months of assessment and deliberation, the company concluded that reopening the cinema was not feasible. The statement highlighted the struggle to "pick through the rubble, hoping for the best but eventually had to grapple with the reality that nothing was salvageable, it was all gone."
The closure marks the end of an era for moviegoers in Montego Bay and the surrounding areas who frequented the Multiplex for over two decades. Since its opening in December 2001, the cinema had been a popular entertainment destination, offering residents and visitors a modern cinematic experience. Its permanent shuttering leaves a void in the local entertainment landscape.
Palace Amusement Company Limited had previously indicated that the Montego Bay location was closed due to the hurricane's impact. At that time, the company was balancing recovery efforts with the hope of eventually reopening the cinema. However, subsequent assessments revealed the full extent of the damage, particularly the widespread mould, which ultimately led to the difficult decision to cease operations permanently.
The company's statement expressed gratitude to its "valued patrons of Palace Multiplex, serving Montego Bay and environs," underscoring the community's long-standing support. The closure is a significant loss for the entertainment sector in Montego Bay, which now faces the challenge of adapting to the absence of a major cinema complex. The impact of Hurricane Melissa continues to be felt across various sectors, and the permanent closure of the Palace Multiplex serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of natural disasters on infrastructure and local economies.