Australia’s first GU Film House to open in Glenelg, four years after former cinema demolished

AFTER years without a movie cinema, a $17 million, six-screen complex will open at Glenelg this week — and it’s not just movie buffs who are excited.

The new Greater Union Film House cinema is opening in Glenelg next week. One of the films is Batman v Superman. Ellie, 8, and Aidon, 5, who are looking forward to the film with dad Con Maios at Glenelg.

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GLENELG traders hope this Thursday’s opening of a long-awaited new cinema will help boost business at the beachside suburb as winter sets in.

The new $17 million six-screen complex will be the first GU Film House in Australia.

Jetty Road Mainstreet Management Committee deputy chairman and landlord Con Maios said he expected the complex to improve winter trade and attract more people to make Glenelg their entertainment destination.

“The cinema opens Glenelg up for so many people all along the tram track,” Mr Maios said.

“They get on and off right in front of the cinema — it’s very convenient.

“It definitely will help business,” Mr Maios said.

The opening comes four and a half years after the previous Wallis cinema on Jetty Rd was demolished.

Nearby businesses are looking forward to the opening after two years of construction work at the site on Cowper St between Partridge and Milton streets.

Extreme Boardriders manager Gareth Williams said the cinema was “definitely needed” to draw people to Glenelg.

“We’re all for it and excited about it,” Mr Williams said.

“It can only be positive for Glenelg.”

The former Wallis Cinema at Glenelg before it was demolished in 2011.

The Strand Cafe Restaurant owner John Papatolis said it would help the Bay poach customers from West Lakes and Marion shopping centres.

“It gives people more of a reason to come to Glenelg,” Mr Papatolis said.

“It’s another entertainment feature.

“It’s good for families as well and, if anything, it’s good to see some positive development here in Glenelg.”

The cinema building, owned by Jetty Rd developer Andrew Taplin, features a licensed cafe.

Alcohol bought there will be allowed inside the building’s theatres.

Mr Taplin said the project had been a “joy to work on knowing we have been a part of bringing cinema back to the Glenelg area”.

“It will complement an already vibrant tourism destination and adds to a long list of amazing tourist activities, locals and visitors alike can participate in while here,” Mr Taplin said. Contrary to what was announced in 2013, there will be no Gold Class cinemas like those at Westfield Marion.

Both Marion and Glenelg cinema complexes are operated by Event Hospitality and Entertainment.

The old cinema complex, on Jetty Rd, closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2011, with operator Wallis blaming poor patronage.

It was built in 1937 and for most of its operating life was known as the Ozone Cinema.

TELL US BELOW: What are you memories of the old cinema at Glenelg?