The upcoming closure of the Imax theatre in downtown Winnipeg has some suggesting that a perception of the city core as being unsafe may be a factor.

The Forks North Portage Partnership, which owns the 25-year-old cinema on the third floor of the Portage Place Shopping Centre, says it will shut down the venue on March 31.

Officials say the theatre, which has been showing films on the extra-large Imax screen since 1987, has been losing money and viewers in recent years.

The closure of the Imax theatre will mean Portage Place will lose one of its largest tenants.

On the streets outside the mall on Tuesday, some Winnipeggers told CBC News they avoid downtown — including the area around Portage Place — at night because they don't feel safe there.

"Safety is always a concern, and so part of what we're … lobbying for and advocating for is we need to see [a] continued police presence," said Stefano Grande of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

"We have 18 new foot patrols downtown; the objective is to get to 50."

Click on the video player above to watch Aadel Haleem's full report.