United Cinemas Collaroy opens its doors following refurbishment
The boss of United Cinemas has spoken about the spectacular refurbishment of his Collaroy venue and what it is like going into business with a Hollywood A-lister.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of Sydney’s oldest heritage cinemas has reopened following a major refurbishment which has seen it restored to its former glory.
United Cinemas independent owner Roy Mustaca has a chain of 10 cinemas across Australia, which have all been shutdown for the last 10 months due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Mr Mustaca said he bought the Collaroy cinema 33 years ago, originally built in 1938, and it is the only one of his cinemas which has reopened.
“It’s been a very difficult year, it’s been difficult for everyone but especially the cinema industry because we’ve been closed a long time,” Mr Mustaca said.
“We’re showing the same amount of movies as we used to. As for capacity, we are being Covid safe, so everyone has a bubble around them and will be wearing masks.”
He explained the detail that went into the Collaroy cinema refurbishment.
“When we closed this year, and we thought it was a good opportunity. We thought we were going to do a little, but when we started it was difficult to stop because we really wanted to make it beautiful again.
“A lot of work went into it because it is an old building and the walls are customised. When we touched them, it all came out. We had to restructure a lot, we actually rendered all the walls again, so it’s been going on for four months.”
Mr Mustaca said it features new marble toilets, new bars, restored timber railing and vintage lights, with works costing hundreds of thousands.
Another $1m is set to be spent on the second stage of the refurbishment over the next 12 months.
United Cinemas Warriewood received refurbishments at the same time with fresh carpet and paint, new seats and airconditioning.
It comes as United Cinemas recently struck a deal with Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg who owns burger chain Wahlburgers.
The movie-themed restaurants will open in 15 locations inside or next to United cinemas in Australia including Warriewood and Narellan in Sydney, Craigieburn in Melbourne, Indooroopilly in Brisbane and Rockingham in Perth.
“Mark was in Australia not long ago and he visited us. He’s gone back to the US now. We have a lot in common - God, music, food and movies, so it was a perfect marriage.
“Wahlburgers has a more superior burger than what we’re used to, so I think it’s going to do well. Possibly the first site will be at the Opera Quays theatre in a few months.”
The business venture is set to create employment for more than 500 people.
Wahlberg has promised to return for the opening of the first restaurant in Sydney.
What a ripper! Photo lens on rugby rising stars at NSW junior champs
The rising stars of rugby and future Wallaroos and Wallabies were firmly in the spotlight at the NSW U16, U18s junior championships. Updated action photos from the events here
‘Perverted’: Dad jailed for looking up skirts with shoe dashcam
A father of four who went on a perving spree using a dashcam tied to his shoe to film up the skirts of girls and young mums in Sydney shopping malls has learnt his fate in court.