Old cinema to get new lease of life
LUXURY ‘ARC CINEMA’ DUE TO OPEN AT REDMOND SQUARE BY END OF JULY
WEXFORD is to get a ‘new’ 300-seat, threescreen cinema as part of the multi-million redevelopment of the Redmond Square shopping centre.
The Arc Cinema is due to open at the end of July, complete with new, US-style luxury, leather seating, similar to that used on first class airline flights.
Work has just begun to refurbish the old Savoy cinema which will be transformed with state of the art electronics, sound system and projection.
‘It will be an enhanced, not an exclusive experience,’ said Brian Gilligan, from Loughlinstown-based property developers Melcorpo Commercial Properties, which bought the Redmond Square complex late last year.
He said the total investment in the square, including the purchase price, would run to around €5 million, with a substantial investment in the cinema alone.
The investment is a major show of confidence in Wexford town by Melcorpo and is its first such venture in the town and county.
The developers hope the new cinema’s central location will encourage patrons to make it part of their night out, supporting other businesses in the town such as shops, restaurants and pubs.
And it’s hoped that the cinema opening will have a positive impact on town centre economy as a whole.
Mr Gilligan said that when his company bought the Redmond Square development, they had intended to offer the former cinema to a retailer, however, the sloping floor and the thick, sound-proof walls proved a major deterrent, given that retailers were looking for open spaces.
‘We weren’t able to find a retailer to take it on,’ he said.
Then came an approach to Melcorpo from an Irish cinema chain.
However, they didn’t wish to sell on the building, but rather to develop its a key aspect of the Redmond Square invstement, and after looking for the best options for it, came up with the cinema development, the first of its kind in Ireland.
The cinema will feature 300 seats, spread among three auditoria with the largest seating around 150 people.
The seats, much larger than those in ‘normal’ cinemas, are being made in Colombia, in South America, which is a major supplier to the US movie theatre market.
‘They are a little like first class aeroplane seats,’ said Mr Gilligan, ‘it’s a model that works.’
Movies shown at the cinema will be the normal Hollywood blockbuster offerings, however, Mr Gilligan says Hew e doesn’t believe the Arc will competete head on with the multiplex in the Rosslare Road, given its town centre location.
‘We don’t see it competing with the 1,600 seat multiplex. This is a much smaller space,’ said Mr Gilligan.
His company operates another cinema in Drogheda, but The Arc in Wexford town will be the first of its kind, given its intimate space and luxurious fittings.
Mr Gilligan said a manager would be appointed locally and up to 15 seasonal jobs would be created at the cinema which will have longer opening hours during school holidays.
He said it was hoped the cinema and the expansion of the shopping centre would create more investment and employment as the area grew with those currently leesing premises remaining in situ.
Despite the cinema offering a premium experience, he said tickets will sell for normal