Ballarat Regent Cinemas to reopen as Palace Regent Ballarat

A beleaguered Ballarat cinema will be saved from permanent closure with a move towards international film festivals and “quality up-market films” besides the usual blockbuster fare.

Regent Cinemas on Lydiard St, Ballarat Central. Picture: Regent Cinemas

A historic Ballarat theatre will be rescued from the brink of ruination following a sudden closure earlier in the year.

Regent Entertainment Pty Ltd, which ran the Regent Cinemas in Ballarat, entered voluntary liquidation in June.

Palace Cinemas announced on Tuesday it would save the Regent on Lydiard St from permanent closure by showing international film festivals and “quality up-market films” besides the usual blockbuster fare, as well as hosting special events and sessions.

The cinema will open from October 3.

A screenshot of an email posted to Facebook by a Ballarat resident noting that Regent Cinemas would close on June 25, 2024. Picture: Facebook

Palace Cinemas chief executive Benjamin Zeccola said the Regent Cinemas was a “cherished community icon” with an “avid audience”.

“We are thrilled to bring the Palace touch to this iconic venue while ensuring we save and loyally serve what locals love about it most,” he said.

“Palace Regent Ballarat will not only preserve a treasured piece of Ballarat’s history but will also elevate the local cinema experience.

“We look forward to showcasing an even wider selection of films and delivering the best in cinema to the film enthusiasts of Ballarat.”

A line-up of film festivals will begin with the British Film Festival in November.

Palace Regent Ballarat will offer sessions including Student Saver Days, Senior Saver Days, Babes in Arms, Family Film Passes, discount sessions for Movie Club members, and special event previews and premieres.

The revived Ballarat venue will also introduce a Ballarat Movie Club with a discount on standard ticket prices.

Palace Cinemas invited former Regent Cinemas staff to apply to work with it as reopening the theatre would “require building a team from the ground up”.

SMB Advisory liquidator Justin Howlett said 16 parties had expressed interest in Regent Enterainment’s assets, with Palace Cinema Group now the successful buyer.

“We are extremely grateful for the assistance and co-operation provided by the company’s management and staff, landlords and financiers, without which this outcome would not have been possible,” he said.

“Interactions with the Ballarat public over these past few months have shown just how significant the former Regent Cinemas were to so many, and hopefully many will be comforted by the fact Palace Cinemas will be able to reopen the doors once more.”