A demolition company is standing by, ready to demolish the cinema complex at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Lower Hutt.
Structural engineers last night declared the building housing the cinema and several hundred carparks at risk of collapse and advised it be demolished as soon as possible.
The New World supermarket and the Angus Inn hotel, both opposite the mall, were evacuated last night.
Despite the cordon some shops in the mall will re-open today.