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Friday, 6 December 2013

Cinemas about to Re-Open; Mayor Guppy affirms the plan is on track

The Ascot Cinema is re-opening, and well in time for Christmas and the summer holidays.

UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 06 DEC 2013— Upper Hutt welcomes Mr. Bob Bailey of Queensland Multiplex Cinemas as the interim operator for the re-opening of the Ascot Cinemas for the holiday season.

Glenn Bercich, the Property Manager of the Mall and Campus sites says “Bob comes to us with 42 years of experience working in, managing, and owning cinema complexes in Australia. He will be able to make a valuable contribution. Our objective at this stage is to provide a movie offering for the community over the holiday season”

Three cinemas will operate – one with current digital technology and the other two on 35mm technology. All new releases scheduled for release over the holiday season will be able to be screened. There will be extended hours, midnight screenings, “crazy specials” times, free ticket contests, and extra treats for the kids - there are a lot of promotional activities planned.

“This is a positive step forward” Mayor Wayne Guppy said. He said “We have been working hard with the owner of The Mall and Campus site, Mr. Andrew Budge, to ensure that a cinema is part of the long term offering within Upper Hutt. We are reviewing our support of this long term plan, and the first step is to re-open the Ascot at the existing site and to make sure it is done in time to make movies available locally for the community over the holiday period”

Mayor Guppy went on to say that “Having viable entertainment options available locally is important to ensure future vibrancy of our retail sector in Upper Hutt, and also provide local employment and family friendly recreational activities. Andrew has been very receptive to our input and worked hard to meet all our requirements. He has been keeping us well appraised. I would expect to be able to provide an overall roadmap of where we are heading with the CBD early in the New Year”.

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