Cinema end is way of future

IT’S the end of an era.

The last stand-alone large cinema complex in Cairns is to close.

Event Cinemas Grafton St venue shuts for good on July 18 after dutifully serving movie-goers for 45 years.

Instead film fanatics will have to use the big screen locations at shopping centres — Cairns Central, Earlville and Smithfield.

Shopping centres which draw significant people are obvious drawcards.

They appeal to cinema operators because they lure more casual customers passing by, people who on the spur of the moment decide to catch a movie.

Other advantages are good parking, handy locations and more nearby refreshment options

Parents can drop their children off at the movies for a couple of hours while the grocery and other shopping is done.

The success of the new Smithfield complex has played its part in the demise of Grafton St.

Movie-goers from the Tablelands, the northern beaches and the Douglas Shire find the Smithfield shopping centre venue a lot more convenient instead of having to drive into the Cairns CBD.

Weekend parking fees in the city have not helped either.

Event Cinemas says “we are incredibly proud of our new Smithfield cinema” and will use the closure of Grafton St to “reinvest” in the shopping centre locations.

Cinemas are fighting stiff competiton from subscription services such as Foxtel and Netflix which offer a host of movie choices.

But there is nothing like grabbing a box of popcorn and watching a film on giant screens.

Nick Dalton Deputy editor