Hoyts plans for Cronulla Cinemas approved by Sutherland Shire Council
Fancy! Cronulla’s beloved heritage cinema is getting a new lease on life after multimillion-dollar plans to refresh the venue were approved. Here’s what’s planned for the Shire’s favourite cinema.
St George Shire Standard
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A fresh new makeover for Cronulla’s beloved heritage-listed cinema complete with comfortable reclining seats, a bar and a cafe has been given the green light by the council.
Sutherland Shire Council has approved cinema brand Hoyts’ $5.5m plans to revamp Cronulla Cinemas after they bought the iconic venue from Events Cinemas in 2019.
The dilapidated interiors will be transformed for a revitalised cinematic experience with a bar and the cinema brand’s signature motorised recliners in every cinema.
Hoyts emphasised nothing would change about the 1930s-era heritage-listed exterior, which remained standing in 1998 even when the rest of the building was demolished and revamped.
“Proposed internal works include full refurbishment of all auditoriums to accommodate new seats and associated platforms, new speakers and upgrades to projection systems, new floor and wall finishes,” the applicants wrote.
“(They also) include full refurbishment of the front of house, back of house, amenities, and (small) Cinemas 5 and 6.”
New concessions will include self-serve ticket kiosks, self-serve food and drink and a new bar and cafe on the northern side of the venue.
The bar will only be available to cinema patrons and the cinema will be required to show how this condition will be enforced.
The cinema currently has franchise agreements with Eagle Boys pizza, Baskin Robbins ice cream and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.
“The installation of digital projectors has enabled Hoyts to exceed the quality of digital television, while the upgrading of cinema seating with the installations of motorised recliners rival home comfort,” the applicants wrote.
“Although Hoyts anticipate it to be a small contributor, it is foreseen the introduction of alcohol will be another opportunity to replicate and improve and compete with the “at home” experience.”
However, the council has not made an allowance for light music, jazz music, a DJ or any other live entertainment as amplified music is not supported.