Cinema to re-open after £1m upgrade
Thursday, 18 September 2008
by RICHARD BURDEN.
ARMAGH's cinema could be re-opened in time for Christmas - after a major facelift costing in excess of £1 million.
And it will then be known as the Armagh Omniplex following the appointment of a new operator.
Omniplex already operates 23 cinemas across Northern Ireland and the Republic.
Boasting outlets in Newry, Lisburn, Enniskillen and Bangor, among others, the former City Film House will be the latest feather in the company cap.
It has remained vacant since June last year and has prompted many questions locally about the future of the development.
Last night (Tuesday), Omniplex operations manager Mark Anderson confirmed to the Gazette that it was hoped to have the entertainment venue up and running again as soon as possible.
The goal is to open before Christmas but, as the company is also planning another cinema in Dundonald, it may not be completely feasible. Failing that, it would certainly be up and running early in January.
Mr Anderson confirmed that Omniplex was "quite close" to finalising "our own internal plans" for the new-look cinema.
He revealed that "northwards of £1 million" would be spent on works to bring the complex back into productive use.
Describing this as a "substantial investment", he believed it would bring significant returns from the city, which had been 'under-screened' since last year's closure.
Said Mr Anderson: "We try not to invest in cinemas unless we think they are going to be a success".
The Gazette can report that a meeting took place recently between representatives of Armagh City and District Council - which owns the Market Street building - the new operator and legal advisers.
Legal documents were exchanged at that time and it was expected that the business would be concluded shortly.
The operator also submitted a design drawing for modifications to be carried out to the front of the building, which was then approved when the council's executive committee met at the end of August.
It is understood that this mainly relates to the creation of a second door at the front of the premises.
A further progress report is expected to be brought before the full September sitting of Armagh Council at the end of the month.
Councillors have been anxious to get the cinema up and running again for some time, but wanted to ensure that the correct operator was on board.
It was always viewed as an essential and integral part of the local authority's vision for a thriving night-time economy, situated, as it is, beside the Market Place Theatre and in close proximity to local restaurants and bars.
It was on Friday, June 29, 2007 that the cinema closed its doors.
In a shock move, the then operators - Diamond Cinemas - opted to pull the plug, blaming a lack of business for the decision.
Up to a dozen full and part-time jobs were lost as a result of the closure. In fact, the council was not made aware of the decision to shut up shop until an advertisement and front page story ran in this newspaper just two days before the last screening.
A council spokesperson said at that time: "We will now work towards a full refurbishment of the premises and are confident we can source a new operator to ensure a newly-enhanced cinema opens within the next number of months.
“The council is committed to providing a cinema in Armagh, as we believe it is vital in attracting people into the city centre and to encouraging night-life in the area".
While 'the next number of months' have certainly passed, it does now seem that there is light at the end of the tunnel, which will be a huge relief and great boost for the film-loving public in Armagh.
The ciy cinema was built at a cost of £1.25 million and opened its doors to the public on Friday, November 10, 1995.
Then regarded as state-of-the-art, the sound system alone cost more than £200,000, and the four separate theatres had a total seating capacity of 650.
