The Victoria Cinema closes after 10 years

The Victoria cinema shut its doors yesterday, two days after its 10th birthday.

Dark Shadows, the last film to show at the Victoria, had 22 people watch it.

Staff member Gabriela Budin said she had expected more people to come and say goodbye.

Many customers did not realise they were attending the cinema’s last picture show.

“Some said it would be their first and last time going,” Miss Budin said.

The Victoria cinema is the second movie theatre in the city to close this year.

Event cinema in Centre Place shut down in February following news developments at Westfield Chartwell and The Base.

The Victoria was due to shut last year but because of strong public support for the boutique theatre, Lido cinema director Richard Dalton leased it on a trial basis.

Six months later he decided the project was not financially viable.

The Victoria needed an estimated 40 customers a day to survive and some days attracted fewer than 10.
The Lido cinema, which shows many arthouse and foreign films, is the only movie theatre in the central city.

Lido cinema manager Stewart Putwain said he was sorry to see the Victoria close.

“Now we are the only cinema left in town we may show more mainstream films,” Mr Putwain said. “But our core product is still arthouse film.”

Mr Putwain’s wife Toria who has also worked at the cinema, said they had worked hard in their attempt to keep the cinema open.

“It’s been a labour of love,” she said.