Cinema Roma gets the flick
CINEMA Roma has made its final curtain call for the second time in four years.
The credits rolled for the last time on October 5, when the business posted on its Facebook that it would shut its doors.
The freehold property is now on the market for $750,000, which includes the cinema and coffee shop.
"The current lessees walked out without notice,” building owner Jason Bartels said.
"They've broken their lease and it will be a legal battle.”
Mr Bartels said he was given about 24 hours' notice that the cinema would be closing.
The cinema closed briefly in 2014 due to the expenses involved with changing over from 35mm to digital technology but Mr Bartels remained hopeful it would re-open soon.
"If we were still living in Roma, we would be operating the business ourselves,” he said.
Mr Bartels, who was born and raised in Roma, moved to the Bundaberg region in 2012.
He said he would prefer to sell the building, rather than lease the cinema and coffee shop again.
"I honestly believe the cinema needs owner-operators who will give it full commitment,” he said.
"We've had professional cleaners come in and the way it is, someone could walk in tomorrow, open the doors and start trading.”
Lessees Sarah Thompson and Kerry Culverhouse said the reason for terminating the lease was due to it not being financially viable for them to continue operating the business.
"Over the two and a half years they had the cinema and café, they have seen three other cafes open locally and a significant downturn in movie goers since the arrival of Netflix, and the rising popularity of other online entertainment, making stay-at-home movies more affordable,” a statement to the paper read.
"Sarah and Kerry contacted the Bartels immediately once it was determined the business was not in a position to continue.
"All rent was paid to date and the Bartels agreed in writing to cancel the lease with no further legal action if all requests were met, which the ladies did meet promptly.”
Mrs Thompson and Mrs Culverhouse said Mr Bartel's suggestion of a "legal battle” came as a surprise to them and agreed an owner-operator would be best for the future of the cinema and cafe.
"An owner would be able to do all the necessary capital upgrades to keep the cinema current and appealing to customers,” they said.
"The right freehold owner of the building and business could run the cafe and cinema together and would be successful, as Jason stated.”
For now, movie goers will be forced to travel two hours east to reach the closest cinema in Chinchilla.