‘Save Our Cinema’: Nambour urged to support Majestic as tough times hit

Majestic Cinemas chief executive officer Kiren Dell said business had been down by 30 percent across the industry during the past 18 months.

Photo credit: Mike Korsos – Korsos Photography

by Janine Hill

HINTERLAND residents have been urged to rally behind Nambour’s Majestic cinema as its parent company faces an uncertain future.

Majestic Cinemas, which operates nine regional cinemas on the east coast, including one at Nambour, has gone into voluntary administration. The cinemas are still trading under administration while the company undergoes a restructure with a view to continuing operations into the future.

A statement to its moviegoers cited natural disasters, the pandemic, Hollywood strikes and a lack of consistent major movie releases as contributing to difficulties over the past four years.

Majestic Cinemas chief executive officer Kiren Dell said business had been down by 30 percent across the industry during the past 18 months.

Mr Dell said Majestic leased eight of its nine cinemas, meaning it had fixed expenses to cover with reduced revenue and this had resulted in accumulated debt.

He said attempts would be made to renegotiate leases while under administration to put it into a better position to continue trading.

“Administration doesn’t mean we are closing and it doesn’t mean we are being liquidated or sold off,” he said.

“It’s really important to emphasise that we are open for business.”

The announcement that Majestic Cinemas had gone into administration prompted calls of “use it or lose it” by some concerned hinterland residents.

Division 10 Councillor David Law initiated his own ‘Save our Cinema’ campaign, imploring people with the time and money to go to the movies at Nambour’s Majestic, or to buy movie tickets for others.

“Logically, I’m thinking that the Majestic Theatre company, when it’s looking to ‘re-structure’ is going to be choosing some cinemas to keep and some to close,” he said.

“Let’s give them a reason to make Nambour one of the ones they keep.”

He bought two tickets to Force of Nature to give away to kick off the Save Our Cinema campaign and encouraged others to do the same.

“This simple action also spreads a little community spirit around town as those who have a little spare cash can help out those who don’t.”

He said the cinema was an asset to the town and he was also speaking to the council’s economic development team to see what could be done to help, although the building is privately owned.

On social media, there were more calls to support the cinema to keep it in town.

RE/MAX Nambour property agent Scott Walters was an avid supporter. “I’ve personally seen about two dozen movies at this beautiful venue and it would be such a shame to see them close down. I encourage everyone where possible, if there’s a movie you want to see and it’s within your means to do so, take some time soon to support our local cinema,” he wrote. 

Movie club member Peter Filsell said Nambour was lucky to have a cinema in town. “Please support them. All four of the cinemas in there are great – all different. Undercover parking is in the building,” he wrote.

“Go and see a movie before it becomes too late and we’ll have to find time to drive to the coast and pay hugely for parking!”