Moore family sells Dumaresq Street Cinema to company run by Colin Resnick and John O’Neill

The future of the beloved Dumaresq Street Cinema has been secured with new owners set to take over. See what the new owners had to say.

Owner Allison Moore will soon farewell the business after a sale has been confirmed.

The future of the beloved Dumaresq Street Cinema, renowned for its cheap tickets, has been secured with new owners set to take over.

A company controlled by industry veterans Colin Resnick and John O’Neill have bought the cinema business from the Moore family who originally established the business.

Mr Resnick was a former senior executive with Hoyts and co-owner of IMAX while Mr O’Neill is behind Metro Cinemas with sites in Bathurst, Lake Haven and Tasmania.

The pair have now started their company Dumaresq St Cinema PTY LTD and the transfer will take place on October 18, 2023 and Campbelltown City Council has endorsed the extension for a further five years with an option for an additional three years.

And the first question this publication asked Mr O’Neill was, will the cheap tickets be a part of the cinema’s future?

“It will continue to be an affordable cinema,” he said.

“We are thrilled to be entrusted with such an iconic asset and will continue to run the business as a value cinema for the Campbelltown community and continue the legacy of Ron Moore and his family.

“We are considering a number of enhancements to the cinema to add to Campbelltowners enjoyment at the complex.”

Pictured is Dumaresq St Cinema owner manager Allison Moore.

Greg and Allison Moore have been the faces behind the cinema screens that have worked hard to provide the community with affordable access to the latest blockbusters and flicks.

And to them, Dumaresq St Cinema has been so much more than just a business or workplace.

“There are countless wonderful memories held within its walls and in our hearts,” Mrs Moore said.

“It has been such a privilege to provide a place of entertainment for the people of Macarthur for all these years. We are going to miss all the familiar faces and the fun chats and banter.

“We know the cinema has been a constant and familiar presence in the lives of many and we are beyond happy, knowing that we are passing it into the experienced and capable hands of the new operators Colin and John”.

Mr O’Neill said he and Mr Resnick heard about the potential closing down of the cinema through the industry grapevine and decided to take it on.

He said while world events such as Covid and the actors strike had impacted the release of movies, there was still a big appetite to see flicks on the big screen even with the popularity of streaming platforms.

“I think it’s like anything if the movie is good enough the people will come,” Mr O’Neill said.

Campbelltown mayor George Greiss said the cinema was a place where many people in the community have grown up enjoying movies with family and friends.

“I’m delighted to see that it will continue to operate,” he said. “I’d like to acknowledge and thank the Moore family, whose passion for cinema and the Campbelltown community has ensured that residents have had access to affordable and quality entertainment for more than 30 years” Dr Greiss said.

“We’re also delighted to welcome the new operators to our community and look forward to seeing more great movies at Dumaresq St Cinemas.”