Regal Cinema, formerly Chelsea Cinema, back in Burnside Council control as tenant refused lease extension

THE future of one of Adelaide’s most iconic heritage-listed cinemas is up in the air after Burnside Council refused to provide a lease extension to the operators.

Regal Theatre operator Michael Todd at the Kensington Park cinema’s candy bar.

• May 2012: Former Chelsea Cinema’s Regal transformation
• July 2017: From heartache to grand vision for grand, old cinema

THE future of the Regal Theatre, formerly known as the Chelsea Cinema — and once saved from sale by a community campaign — is back in doubt after owners were refused a lease extension.

The heritage-listed Art Deco film house in Kensington Park is understood to have been taken back by Burnside Council almost a decade after controversy raged over plans to sell the building.

The Advertiserhas confirmed with Michael Todd, from Republic Theatres, operators of the complex for more than six years, that notice of termination was given three weeks ago.

Mr Todd — whose company also owns The Trak cinema on Greenhill Rd — says he holds no grudge over the decision he calls “fair and reasonable”.

“I want the message out there that City of Burnside were not bastards about this — it’s a fair and reasonable decision and I hold no bitterness,” he said.

“We have maintained an excellent working relation with them and will continue to do so.”

It is understood that all 12 staff members have been offered continued employment by council on nine-month contracts.

The current operator of the Regal Theatre, Michael Todd, will not continue his lease. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“Council have been magnanimous in keeping the staff on and holding them to medium-term contracts, “ Mr Todd added.

“There are lots of precedents around the country for council owner-operated theatres being a success and I hope this is another.”

Mr Todd says he had an understanding a recent resolution of council had determined the theatre would never be sold but in a written statement to The Advertiser, Burnside Council did not confirm that.

“In short, it’s business as usual,” council chief executive Paul Deb said.

“Council is presently considering new management options for the theatre.”

Mr Deb said the Hula Hoop restaurant and cafe, part of the Regal Theatre precinct lease arrangement, will also continue to operate.

The operation of The Trak, also in the Burnside Council area, is unaffected by the Regal contract cancellation.

Live shows with Marina Prior in May, 2014 are the highlight of Mr Todd’s time at the Regal.

He said the tragic death of close friend Bob Cornish, who fell from the roof just three days into the tenancy, was something he has never recovered from. He had treatment for post-traumatic stress and depression over the incident.

“To be honest this is a relief — all a weight off my mind,” he added.

“Going in there every day was a bit of a battle.”

Republic won a tender war, that included Wallis Cinemas and Palace Theatres, for the lease for the then-Chelsea Cinema in late 2011.

Save the Chelsea Cinema supporters at a Burnside Council meeting back in 2010.

Bob Parr, an executive from Wallis, evicted by Burnside in 2011, said the decision of council to not extend Republic’s lease was “not unexpected”.

“I feel sorry for Michael a lot of things haven’t gone his way and the loss of Bob affected him very badly. That was so sad,” he said.

“There are no winners here, but council didn’t make the right choice in the first place.

“Single screens just can’t survive anymore.”

Bob Parr inside the cinema.

Mr Parr said he didn’t know if Wallis would tender again.

“It’s not my decision but it needs a lot of money spent on it now,” he added.

“It needed a lot of money six years ago. I spent 40 years of my life there — but it never made a lot of money. We were just proud to run it.”

The Advertiser is seeking comment from Burnside Council.