THERE will be no lights camera or action at the Oatmill Cinema Complex for at least a few months due to limited screening options and restricted viewing ability.
Despite easing COVID-19 restrictions allowing the popular entertainment venue to open from Monday, cinema manager Shane Fulwood said it would not be viable for the Percy Street complex to reopen.
Mr Fulwood said the complex’s current situation was frustrating as it had the ability to open its doors, but believed it would struggle financially to stay afloat.
“Although we may be considered safe here in Mount Gambier, we are heavily reliant on international decisions,” Mr Fulwood said.
“Films are released almost simultaneously worldwide and with countries like China and the United States remaining in lockdown, films are not expected to be released until July.
“We will be taking things slow and plan to open during the school holidays on July 3, but we are still trying to it all out.”
Mr Fulwood said if the complex was reopened next week, viewings would consist of classics, movie marathons or films from earlier this year, which he did not think there was an appetite for.
“It comes down to whether people would be willing to pay the money for a film they can watch for next to nothing at home,” he said.
“With the large spaces we have, it is really quite expensive to run for a selected amount of customers.”
Taking the four metre per person rule into consideration, Mr Fulwood said he also based his decision on New Zealand cinemas and reported revenue intake.
“There was very soft box office appearances and many places basically said it was not worth opening,” he said.
“There may be room for a few novelty events before we open like a Harry Potter marathon, but that will not be until later.”
Closing its doors around two months ago when COVID-19 restrictions were enforced, Mr Fulwood said the cinema had taken a creative approach to providing takeaway options for its customers.
“Our takeaway option offering our popcorn, choctops and drinks was quite popular when more people were staying home,” he said.
“People were grabbing a few options to spice up their regular Netflix or live-streaming options at home and making a night out of it.”
Mr Fulwood said takeaways had since died down in popularity, but continued to have people visit on Friday and Saturday nights.
With a bit of spare time up his sleeve, the cinema manager said he was now using it to clean and refresh the complex.
Mr Fulwood said it has became a “juggling act” to manage all circumstances, but he remained positive the facility could reopen to the public as soon as it was viable to do so.
The complex is expecting to install an online booking system when it reopens.
