Improvements planned for Greymouth venue

Work is about to start on improvements to the Regent Theatre Greymouth to open the foyer area and create a complete movie/dining experience for visitors.

The West Coast Theatre Trust has purchased the Ferrari’s Lounge Bar business, currently adjoining the theatre, and work will start on renovations soon.

Trust Chairman Ian Young says the opportunity to purchase the café/bar business fitted well with the Trust’s strategy for the complex, explaining "the Trust’s strategic vision for the theatre has been to enhance the visitor experience and make the complex a true destination for the local community and visitors.

“Plans to develop a café/bar area were first considered by the Trust some years ago and at the time we accepted a proposal by the current owners to set-up and develop the business. Patrick and the team have done an outstanding job to establish the business but we understand the time commitments of owning the bar and running the wider complex are demanding.

“Financially, it makes sense for the Trust to combine the different aspects of the business. It will provide an additional revenue stream, while at the same time cutting overheads and producing economies of scale.

“The timing was right for the Trust to take-over ownership of the business lease and allow further development of one of the town’s top entertainment and hospitality destinations. Patrick and his team will remain and we look forward to welcoming the public to the renovated hospitality space very soon,” Ian says.

The renovations will see the foyer area opened and the candy bar shifted to become part of the bar area, offering a wider range of products and allowing staff to serve both diners and movie-goers.

The Regent Theatre Greymouth has continued admission growth in a challenging time for cinema outlets worldwide. The first quarter figures for the local entertainment hub were up 15.8% on 2015 and a massive 32% compared with the first quarter of 2014.

The West Coast Theatre Trust is a charitable organisation that operates the two modern cinemas as well as the large auditorium within the historic Regent Theatre complex. The trust is funded through its activity income as well donations and grants.