UCI buys 8 Ster 'plexes

Coutts-Trotter sez co. received fair offer

By CATHY MEILS

PRAGUE -- UCI Central Europe has bought Ster Century Europe's eight multiplexes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary for $18.5 million.

In a statement, Ster Century Europe chairman David Coutts-Trotter said, "We received what we believe to be a fair offer for our multiplexes."

Ster Century was key to the dramatic rise in admissions in the Czech Republic late last year. According to David Horacek, managing director for Ster Century in Czech Republic and Slovakia, the three multiplexes in Prague and one in Bratislava claimed 55%-60% of the local box office, while the two multiplexes in Brno had 90% of the local box office.

Ster Century Europe owns 11 other multiplexes in the U.K., Ireland, Spain, Poland and Greece.

Ster Century is owned by Kersaf Investments and Primedia, both of South Africa, and ING Barings.