A NORTH EAST leisure complex popular with thousands of people per day looks set to remain closed as bosses have provided an update.
The Gate in Newcastle has been closed for almost 24 hours after diners and cinema-goers were evacuated on Thursday night.
Some had reported being in the middle of screenings at the Cineworld complex on the third floor while it is understood diners were the first to leave.
Read more: Will The Gate in Newcastle reopen for weekend and are the police involved?
Those caught up in the evacuation expressed worry and concern as many were left waiting outside only to be informed the venue would remain closed for the rest of the night.
A statement was provided shortly after which said bosses had "identified a safety concern with the building" and that it would be closed for the foreseeable.
At the time, it said that it "recognised the impact" of the closure on the raft of businesses and visitors to The Gate and it thanked the patience of customers.
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But in an update at around 4pm on Friday, The Gate confirmed the venue and its underground car park would remain temporarily closed.
Giving no timescale as to when the venue would reopen, it said: "As a precaution, we have implemented a temporary closure of The Gate due to some potential safety concerns.
"The health and safety of all those in and around our building is our utmost priority.
"We recognise the impact this closure will have on the businesses and visitors of The Gate and apologise for the disruption.
"We are working to re-open as soon as it is safe and practical to do so."
Despite the closure, nearby The Lofts, Ther Mayfair and The Hustle, which neighbour the site and are connected by a walkway, remain open.
Northumbria Police confirmed it is not involved with the incident nor was it involved on Thursday.
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