Cinema up for sale

LISMORE’S long-dark movie screens won’t be lighting up under Palace Cinemas, with the operator confirming it’s not in the market for the flood-hit theatre, at least, not before the credits roll on its latest expansion in Victoria.

BCC Cinemas Lismore has remained closed since the 2022 floods, and its owners are now looking for a buyer to bring it back to life. But despite speculation, Palace Cinemas, already operating in Ballina and Byron Bay has made it clear that Lismore isn’t part of its script.

“At the moment, we are in the process of opening the Palace Regent in Ballarat, so we’re unable to explore new ventures while this project is underway,” a Palace Cinemas spokesperson said.

Palace took over Ballina Fair Cinemas in 2023 from an independent operator, adding to its Byron Bay complex, which opened in 2019 after three years of construction.

Event Cinemas, which operates the Lismore site, says its focus is on selling to a new cinema operator.

“The company would like to thank the many loyal customers who supported BCC Lismore over the years, as well as the dedicated staff who have operated the cinema,” a spokesperson said.

“EVT is focused on facilitating the transition to a new owner who can revitalise the location.

“A sale process to identify a suitable new owner will begin imminently, with expressions of interest being sought.”

For now, Lismore movie lovers will have to keep making the trek to Ballina or Byron Bay, or take a nostalgia trip to Kyogle, where the independently run cinema continues to screen films just 35 minutes away.

Event Cinemas is yet to set a timeline for the sale, leaving Lismore’s big screen future on pause.