For the founder of distribution company Triangelfilm, this is the final chapter in the Astoria saga that started in 2005 when he acquired Sandrew Metronome's Swedish cinema chain with partners S/S Fladen and Atlantic Film and renamed it Astoria. The company's financial misfortunes that followed are now known to all: receivership in October 2006 and the gradual selling of Astoria cinema assets to competitor SF Bio, and bankruptcy for Triangelfilm last May.
"It's been a tough period", acknowledged Norhborg in a press release published last Friday. "We tried to rescue competition when we came in and bought the old Sandrew Metronome chain. We were backed by all distributors and promised delivery of films. However, unexpectedly we were not given any films and our finances worsened seriously", he recalls. "I feel I have sacrificed Triangelfilm to save Astoria, and for me, this was the last straw. I feel I did what I could, and now it's time for others to take over and work with the Astoria Cinemas of the future".
Jonny Jergander is taking over as the new MD. He and chairman of the board Johan Engwall are now responsible for Astoria's day to day activities and future.