Northmead Square
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Opened in 1998, Northmead Square[1][2] is known as the first shopping centre to bring cinemas back to the South African town of Benoni in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The last remaining cinema had closed in the 80s. Northmead Square is a community centre that services people within a 5 km radius, though because it has regional branches of three of South Africa's banks (FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank) members of the public do come from greater distances. Family-run and maintained by the Coutsides family, Northmead Square is popular and is affectionately known as "The Square."
The property on which Northmead Square was built has been owned by the Coutsides family since 1961. The house that originally existed there was known as "The Pink House" and was a portion of the property known as "Beckett's Farm". In the 90s when the proposed shopping centre was being planned opposition came from the surrounding neighbours and some businesses which delayed the development. Construction eventually went ahead as planned and the centre was opened by the ANC's politician Sicelo Shiceka.
