Plans for a $6 million cinema in Kempsey are expected to move forward at tonight’s extraordinary council meeting.
The four-theatre complex will be built as a third floor extension of Kempsey Central.
Council will decide on a recommendation to enter into a public private partnership with Majestic Cinemas and shopping centre owner, Gowing Brothers.
“The only way that we can make something like this work is to work with commercial partners who have got experience in not only running shopping centres, but also running cinemas, because it would be very difficult for someone like council to successfully run a cinema,” General Manager David Rawlings said.
Council estimates more than 40 per-cent of CBD retail is being lost to other towns, due to the absence of a cinema.
It’s hoped the theatre will be up and running by Christmas next year.
